Monday, December 1, 2014

Music News You Can Use - December 2014

Uh Oh, Ho Ho !!  Here comes December.   
 
 
But let me reminisce November first.  I am in Washington DC enjoying the Thanksgiving week with my daughter, Jessi and her husband, Ty.  Been eating very well and it's been fun getting some real winter weather, a little snow even!!   
 
 
Saw the Seldom Scene at the Birchmere last night, along with the Dry Branch Fire Squad.   Seldom Scene hit the ball out of the park: fine songs, hot licks, great arrangements, and above all stunning vocals.   Watch this (or at least skip to last third) OMG gorgeous harmonies !!  Many more on Youtube you can cruise.  And, here is one of the Dry Branch monologues.
 
 
The Birchmere is one of the best places to hear live acoustic music I know of.   Next time you are in the Washington DC area, go to a show there.
 
 
Closer to home, check out Midnight North and the Easy Leaves, both very fine bands.  Born Lucky (my duo with Michael Hanna) had the pleasure of opening for them a few weeks ago at Toot's Tavern in Crocket.  Here are videos I posted to Facebook in case you missed them: here, here and one of Michael and me doing one of his original songs.  Put Toot's Tavern on your radar - cool place with good sound.
 
 
November was indeed busy with playing for a party in Bolinas; a night with my pal, Floyd Latimer, at Ruth McGowan's with the unexpected pleasure of swapping songs all evening with Larry Potts; and another very fun night at Mission Pizza with Dano Porter sitting in on bass and that boy can play !!
 
Got a couple of kid's parties to play in December, otherwise I hope to (finally!!!!!) wrap up my CD project.   After that, I'll be heading up to Portland to be with family for the holidays.
 
 
Saving the best news for last, Jessi and Ty were married at city hall in San Francisco in November.  They've been together almost five years now so this was not unexpected, but it was joyous and heartfelt.  Ah, love . . .
 
 
Hope you all had nice family and friend times over Thanksgiving and that the year end holidays are wonderful for you.
 
 
Merry Merry Happy Happy
 
John Roy Zat Croizat Whatever