The Explorer's Club!

http://www.rockridgemusic.com/explorersclub/

I spent the weekend in Charlotte and the initial reason I went was to see The Explorers Club perform. If you ever read my blog you will know that this is not the first time I have seen them, in fact I have lost count of how many times I have seen them!

There is something very unique about this band that I really like and they are only getting better with time. It seems when I hear their music I get transported back to the 1960's sounds of Herb Alpert and the Beach Boys. They have a way of melting all these vibes into a unique mix of sounds that work perfectly in 2012. Mark Linett, who mixed The Beach Boys’ “SMiLE” for Capitol Records was responsible for the mix on the up-coming release “Grand Hotel.” You can hear the perfection in the mix on the pre-release tracks.

This band has just started a tour so I would encourage you to check their web site to see if they will be in your area. They are not to be missed! There is also a new album of music coming in February. I have heard some of the tracks and they are damn good! I know radiomargaritaville is playing some of these tracks right now so tune in and listen for them.

I wished the band would have played longer but on this night there were three different acts so I guess I had to settle for what I got! I can't wait 'till the next time I get to see another performance from these guys. I hope it is soon.

http://www.myspace.com/explorersclub

Here is a pre-order page for the new album:

http://www.shopbenchmark.com/theexplorersclub/

And a nice HD video link for the new album release!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQFPpNiOJKw&feature=g-upl

What a great new song! Check out this video of "Run, Run, Run,"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LBeHeBosgU&feature=related

That's it for now...until next time, I'll see you. Down the road...

Malcolm Holcombe!

http://www.malcolmholcombe.com/

Malcolm Holcombe last Saturday night at the Evening Muse in Charlotte. http://www.theeveningmuse.com/ This venue is an intimate place right in the heart of a part of Charlotte now called NODA. That would be "North Davidson Street" which is about three miles north of up-town Charlotte. Yeah that's what they call it here...up-town, never downtown...You say downtown in Charlotte and everyone knows you are not from around here.

Malcolm played to a very attentive crowd seated in chairs and standing along the window glass in the front of the venue. It was a nice selection of songs from a guy who has spent most of his time in Western North Carolina. After the show was over he was walking towards the door when a fan asked him about his song 'Dressed in White." He seemed to really like her knowledge of his music so he sat his guitar case down and opened it. He sat down in a chair and played the song to her right there. I thought that was pretty cool. Here's a like to the song if you want to hear it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGp4DVg1Xtw&feature=related

I asked Malcolm about the song "Killing the Blues." I told him I really like that song. Many people have covered it and I recently found out that it was written by Rowland Salley. Malcolm told me that as soon as I started talking about the song. He knows his music for sure. These days everyone from Robert Plant to John Prine has covered that song. Cool stuff.

Here are the links. This song is off the meter.

The Allison Krause and Robert Plant version. I love this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtpeLia33PY

Here is Malcolm's version. I love this one too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZSGs-7jvHw

Go check out Malcolm if you get a chance, he is a real talent. I need to go get another round of his live music...


"Killing the Blues"

Leaves were falling, just like embers,
In colors red and gold, they set us on fire
Burning just like moonbeams in our eyes.

Somebody said they saw me, swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over a white cloud, killing the blues.

Now I'm guilty of something...
I hope you never do
Because there is nothing
Any sadder than losing yourself in love.

And then you've ask me... just to leave you
To set out on my own
And get what I needed.
You want me to find what I've already had.