Susan Tedeschi!!!

Five-time Grammy nominee Susan Tedeschi on stage last night. (Thanks Canon..your cameras rock) http://www.susantedeschi.com/ I have been a fan for quite a long time. She is just getting better. She just released a new cd called "Hope and Desire." Don't hesitate...just go buy it. I don't usually do this but I will give this cd my two thumbs up sign...there is more top-shelf music per dollar on this cd than any I have heard in months. She dedicated it to her hope - Her two very young children Charlie and Sophia. She also dedicated the cd to her desire, her husband, Derek Trucks. What a great cd...sorry I just can't say that enough. It is one of the best things I have listened to in a while..blues, soul, this one has a groove...it has track after track that will make you feel something. I am listening to the cd as I write this. Oh and did I mention that the Blind Boys of Alabama do some background vocals? That is some heavy mojo folks.
Susan tells the story that Derek and Doyle Bramhall II laid down the guitar tracks for the cd and she liked them so much she didn't play guitar on this one. She has just got back in shape to sing from having her last child and she is nothing but better at this point. Having listened to both of the members of this couple talk about their feelings for each other and watched them on stage in the past you can tell there is a real strong relationship between them. They are really down-to-earth people and all of that feeling comes through in the on-stage performance. Last night there were several special moments. One was when Susan introduced a song that Derek wrote with Kofi Burbridge. Her eyes started twinkling at her mention of his name and she started singing with the intensity I had not seen to that point. Now mind you by then we were already at a 7 on the intensity meter headed for a 10.
One other highlight I want to mention was a song off the latest "Hope and Desire" cd. "Silver and Gold" written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. What a cover. I think that is the way that song should sound.
I can't wait to hear Susan in 10 years. If the last 10 years are an indication of where she is headed musically, she will be playing shed shows to 30,000 people a night. Rock on Susan. As one audience member said last night "You sing it Girl!"

Roots, Rock, Reggae....and Susan.

Roots, Rock, and Reggae. Susan Tedeschi and her band rock the sold out house at Ziggy's last night in Winston-Salem. They tore the house down.

Ron Holloway!!

Me and Ron Holloway at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem last night right before the show. Ron was in town playing with Susan Tedeschi and we had a chat about some of our mutual friends. Ron has played with many cool folks in his career. If you look farther down in my web log I have some pictures of him playing the 2004 Warren Haynes Christmas Jam in Asheville. Ron has also played with my pal from the DC area, Cathy Ponton King. http://www.zptduda.com/cpk/ Ron did a great job on the stage last night! Thanks for the picture and the music Ron.

The Gourds!

The Gourds last night in Winston-Salem. They hail from Austin, Texas and they are very cool. http://www.thegourds.com/home.html They opened for Susan Tedeschi and I really enjoyed the show. Their music seems to be a rapid-paced fusion of cajun, country, rock, and I am sure there is some other ingredient in there but I just can't put my finger on it!

Happy New Year 2006!

Jesse Winchester on stage at the Gravity Lounge last night. http://www.jessewinchester.com/index.shtml Probably one of the best New Years Eve parties I have been to. Jesse said he hadn't played on New Years Eve since he was very young....The audience was outstanding as you could have heard a pin drop during his performance only to be interrupted by thunderous applause in between songs. I had a table right by the stage with my lovely wife and we had a wonderful night. I probably don't have to tell you all about the songs this man has written and how many artists have recorded with him. As I have written in my web log before some of the names that come to mind are Brian Sutton, Jerry Douglas, Steve Cropper...the list goes on and on. Jesse's songs are and have been covered by many names in the music business and some people that come to mind almost at once are Jimmy Buffett, Emmylou Harris, and Nicolette Larson. http://www.nicolettelarson.com/index2.html There are many others. Don't miss your chance to see one of Jesse's rare live shows if you have the chance. He is so good. Now back to my cd pile. I need to listen to my new to me copy of "Jesse Winchester - Live from Mountain Stage" What a way to start a year. 2006 has to be a great one.

Me and Jesse Winchester after the show last night at the Gravity Lounge In Charlottesville, Virginia. What a great night. I have waited almost 30 years to see this man play a show. Thanks Jeese! Oh and thanks to my lovely wife Julie for taking this photo.

On the counter is my copy of Jesse's 1977 release 'Nothing But a Breeze" I bought this album when I was 18 years old! I can never get enough Jesse Winchester music. Seeing him perform live is a real treat!

Talent to Spare at the Gravity Lounge!

Devon Sproule and Paul Curreri last night at the Gravity Lounge in Charlottesville, Virginia. They were the opening act for Jesse Winchester and could have easily been the main act. While they each played solo they were oustanding together. You should check these two out when you get a chance. Their websites are http://www.devonsproule.com/ and http://www.paulcurreri.com/home/index_main.html