NPR ~ Voice From The Darkness: Johnny Cash’s Final Record
Category: Reviews
Show Review ~ Like Minds Local Music CD Release Party with Max Allen Band, Landon Keller, & Root Hog
Hidden Relic Review by Joey Buttram
This past weekend was by far one of the best weekends I’ve ever had. Hosting the Like Minds Local Music Sampler CD Release Party was a highlight of the year for us. The bands absolutely destroyed Bloomington. The weather wasn’t on our side, but the universe aligned and the show went on. For students being out for Christmas break, I was very surprised with such a great turnout. The music started at 8:30pm with Landon Keller, and Max Allen Band didn’t finish his set until nearly 3am. Max Allen Band created so much energy on stage that the fans couldn’t stop dancing. I was very impressed with John Hollingshead’s light show, each band’s performance, and the overall vibe of the night in general.
Landon Keller is a friend of mine, and a veteran singer/songwriter. Landon and his band were one of the first bands Hidden Relic ever promoted. I’m happy to say Landon paved the way, and showed me a lot of the ropes within the music industry. It’s nice to repay him with a really fun show. Landon hopped on stage and tuned up his guitar. He played and sang his first song solo, but eventually brought his brother and guitarist Austin Keller to the stage. The first few songs brought back an array of memories from hometown Landon Keller shows. Late nights, good buzzes, and plenty of great music.
Landon creates a perfect mix of soul, folk, and rock. He songs are about his life, his love, and his pursuit of happiness. He has a way of writing lyrics that we all can relate to. I was very impressed with the new sound, and found myself anxiously awaiting his Sophomore album release. During “Ode to Midnight (sampler song pick)” I felt my feet beginning to move, and I knew I had to dance. Landon & Austin Keller are very soulful, confident, and always willing to try something different. I was very impressed with their set, and it was a PERFECT way to start the night.
After Landon, Lafayette’s Root Hog came up to the stage. I waited anxiously as they checked their levels. They began playing, and the venue vibe grew stronger. Root Hog does an amazing job of mixing so many sounds. They have 2 power house guitar players, a funky bass, delicate keys, and a drummer that never seems to miss. They mixed pieces of jazz, southern rock, roots, fusion, jam, Americana, and folk all into one.
They played mostly originals, but mixed in an Allman Brothers tune or two. I watched as guitarist Pat McClimans began playing slide guitar. I’ve always had a thing for the slide guitar, and Pat played like the best of them. One thing that blew me away with Root Hog was the musicianship within the band. Up front they had 3 guitarists playing together. Dru Alkire (guitar,) Ryan Smith (bass,) and Pat McClimans (guitar.) Ryan started off with a groovy bass line, and immediately Pat joined it.
Soon after Taylor Dunlap started in with the drum kit. I got lost in the spaciness of Dan Pullins keyboard, but was brought right back when Dru Alkire came in with a wailing lead. The quintet carried on this particular song as the crowd became re energized. The crowds eyes locked on the band as they carried on the song. Root Hog is far from your typical bar band, and I highly recommend catching their shows. They’re the type of band I could see at the top, and with this level of musicianship… it wont take long. Root Hog finished their set with a standing ovation.
Max Allen Band began the switching out their equipment. MAB is one of my absolute favorite local bands, and I listen to them on a regular basis. I knew what the first song was going to be by the tuning Max was doing before starting. Shaan France sat down at his kit and began warming up. Dace Robie grabbed his beautiful crimson 6-string bass, and made the crowd dance with tuning.
The trio was ready. They came out strong, fast, and energetic. One thing about MAB is how much energy they create, and then transfer into the crowd. Max was sweating by song two from getting down. Dace Robie (bass) is pretty much entertainment within himself. He bobs his head, dances, and laid some straight FUNK on Bloomington. Shaan seemed more then natural behind his kit, and I swear he is a human metrognome.
The crowd was 100% in love with their songs as everyone was dancing. John Hollingshead put lights in places you wouldn’t imagine, and with the help of MAB, made a truly psychedelic experience. After the trio played a few together they invited Shaggy Wonda’s sax player Teddy Jones to the stage. Dace slid his fingers up and down the bass starting the song. He had a disgusted cringing look on his face as his tune was flat NASTY. Max then picked at the guitar following Dace to create 100% improv. Shaan France (drums) followed suit and laid down a perfect beat for this magical experience. Teddy the master of improv that he is started with a few pushes through his horn. The now quartet came together as if playing together all along.
Once the song started the fans couldn’t stop…. it was on. The show continued with Teddy for awhile, and the crowd was quite pleased. Overall all 3 bands were absolutely fantastic. Not one fan left the bar unsatisfied, and the flood of emails on Sunday proved it. Because of talented musicians, crazy light work, a heady venue, and energetic crowd I left Bloomington with a once in a lifetime experience.
Album ~ “Trick or Treat: The Best of SCI” by String Cheese Incident
Editorial Review from Amazon.com
“The String Cheese Incident unveils their new live release, Trick Or Treat, TODAY! The timing is fitting, considering 2-CD/2-LP set was culled from a variety of epic SCI “Hulaween” shows. From Philadelphia’s Electric Factory (1999), Portland, Maine’s State Theatre (2000), NYC’s Theatre at Madison Square Garden (2001), Sin City’s Cox Pavillion (2003) and the Exhibition Center @ Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin (2004) – Trick or Treat journeys through the years to re-visit some of the band’s most classic Incidents from Halloweens past.
This Best Of set offers seven of SCI’s famous Halloween cover sets including String Cheese performing songs by such artists as the Beatles, KC & The Sunshine Band, Phish, Nelly and many others. Trick or Treat features brand new original artwork from Michael Everett, and will also be available separately as a 9-disc Trick or Treat Deluxe Box Set.”
Disc 1
10/31/ 2000: Portland, ME State Theatre
1. Land s End 10:36
2. Walking on the Moon 08:40
3. Come Together 06:02
4. The Wedge 06:39
5. Get Down Tonight 07:57
10/31/ 2003: Las Vegas, NV Cox Pavilion
6. Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite! 05:29
7. Hot in Herre 10:40
8. War Pigs 09:42
9. Freeker By The Speaker 12:57
Disc 2
10/31/1999: Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
1. Exodus 8:19
2. Under African Skies 7:38
10/31/ 2002: Los Angeles, CA Shrine Auditorium
3. Tightrope 4:49
4. LA Woman 10:37
10/31/2004: Madison, WI Exhibition Center @ Alliant Energy Center
5. Peace Train 5:11
6. Rock the Casbah 4:09
10/31 2001: New York, NY The Theatre at Madison Square Garden
7. So What 5:45
10/31/1998: Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
8. Round the Wheel 16:14
10/31/1999: Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
9. Restless Wind 07:45
3. Tightrope 4:49
4. LA Woman 10:37
10/31/2004: Madison, WI Exhibition Center @ Alliant Energy Center
5. Peace Train 5:11
6. Rock the Casbah 4:09
10/31 2001: New York, NY The Theatre at Madison Square Garden
7. So What 5:45
10/31/1998: Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
8. Round the Wheel 16:14
10/31/1999: Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
9. Restless Wind 07:45
Websites & Links: StringCheeseIncident.com | Trick or Treat: Best of the String Cheese Incident
Festival Review ~ River City Rock & Roll Festival 2009
Words & Photos by Joey Buttram of Hidden Relic
This past weekend we headed down to Madison, IN for River City Rock & Roll Festival. The festival itself was by far the most organized local festival I’ve been to all year. We took the promo/vending booth down, and had a great response. I haven’t received official numbers, but I’d guess around 1,000-1,500 fans showed up throughout the entire weekend.
We arrived on Friday, and with help of HRP Productions Manager (and Mellow Fellow Factory bassist) Jeremy Ochs we set up shop, and began listening to the tunes. The festival started with smooth rock work of Andrea Davidson, we then heard the bluesy shredding of Jimmy Davis Band. The third band to take stage was a straight funky jam-rock outfit called The Flavors. Headlining Friday night was Devon Allman’s Honeytribe, and I’ll tell you the apple doesn’t fall far from Daddy’s tree… Friday night we raged the campsite, and enjoyed a few brews until nearly daylight.
Saturday we woke up just in time to catch Nikki Gill perform her soulful acoustic set covering bands like Maroon 5 and Deana Carter. The day progressed with a couple more acoustic acts that were perfect for this early afternoon setting. Michael Kelsey came on with a spacey set of some AMAZING acoustic guitar work.
Following Kelsey was an HRP favorite Mellow Fellow Factory. MFF tore into a funky set full of originals, and it didn’t take long to move the relaxed acoustic crowd into an all out dance party. After MFF was Local Villains with an almost indie sound that was real good. Shaggy Wonda took the stage with a (like usual) nasty set of some great songs. Shaggy Wonda always leaves me satisfied, and I was nothing less on Saturday. Rusty Bladen & Designated Drivers came up after Shaggy, and played a great set of almost John Melloncamp-like songs. Rusty’s lyrics described hometown parties, run-ins with the law, and leaving a few secrets at Cumberland Lake, KY. I could tell the local Madison crowd sure loves Rusty.
After Rusty came Samesoul, and it was my very first Samesoul show. I was completely BLOWN away by this array of talent. They came on confident, and swayed the crowed into a bluesy, jammy, southern, and overall chilling set. I have yet to watch a local band that has sent chills down my spine so many times. After their set Joe DeVito (bassist) gave me a handful of their album “The Orange Album.” I have yet to take that CD out of my player. Get with me or Samesoul if you’d like to purchase their album…. You wont regret spending the money.
After Samesoul, Ekoostik Hookah took the stage with a wonderful mix of jammy songs of their ever-growing catalogue. Hookah is always a good headliner, and they sure through down in Madison. Clear Sound and Light did a great job, and I would definitely consider them for future events. Herm Productions also added a nice touch to the stage with their fantastic light work.
About the Album ~ “Blood Of Man” by Mason Jennings
From the Artist“It all kinda started at Christmas when my sons and I were hanging ornaments on the tree. We have an ornament that is a little electric guitar and my six-year-old son was looking at it and asked, “What’s this Dad?” I said, “What??? It’s an electric guitar.” To which he replied, “What’s that?”
Well, I was kinda horrified so I ran downstairs and pulled out an old hollowbody electric (that is my wife’s), an amp and I came upstairs, plugged it in and ripped into “My Generation” by The Who. Well, my one son actually climbed me in point 2 seconds and leaped off my shoulders while the other one looked like I had plugged the lights on the tree into him. They flew around the room dancing for two straight wonderful hours. I got the point.
I grew up playing only electric and it was like remembering how to be free. For many reasons, it was so needed. So I got free. The next week I headed into my studio and recorded “City Of Ghosts” and away I went. I wrote about the war and being a parent in “The Field“, two topics close to my heart. I wrote about being a teenager and how heavy that time can feel and how it can shape the path you take. So, gratitude is in there somewhere. I wrote about doubts and fear, about God and Spirit, and about hope and possibility and things that are elusive and hard to name. I wrote mostly about them, and they came into the room like angels and beasts. This whole time I knew the record would be called Blood Of Man.
I also kept hearing two phrases in my head during recording. Maybe you can decipher them, for I know not where they come from or what they mean exactly: “Do you remember when the world was young?” and “In the beginning there was blood on the lamb.” Whew. I wrote about how hard it is to be 34 and be a parent and sane and married and true and positive and yourself and a man and funny and a decent person and a not decent person and human and in love. I turned the music up so loud so often that my ears rang every night.
I wrote about death, of course. I wrote about life. I wrote about pain and addiction. And I let it flow and left it raw. I worked fast and I let my heart lead. I guess I have come to the point in my life and my art where I just want to make music that I love and not mess with it. If people dig it: cool. If not: cool. I will be making it anyway. I have to. I realized that too. By the grace of god: I have to make music. More importantly: I get to. Also, before anything, I am a music listener.
So, this record has not been messed with in any way. What you have is exactly the music I listen to in my van and the way I have given it to my friends on CD-Rs. My hope is that it can help where help is needed. Music saved my life and I am so grateful for it.
Thank you for listening. Rock.”
Websites & Links: MasonJennings.com | Facebook | Twitter | Myspace | Archive.org
Wuhnurth Recap 2009 at The Waterbowl
Words by Joey Buttram (Hidden Relic Productions)
I will have to say that this past weekend was probably the most fun weekend I’ve had all summer, from the Pre-Party with Shadyside to a late night dance party with Twin Cats at Wuhnurth! I for sure saw some amazing musicians THROW DOWN this weekend! Wuhnurth Music Festival was a complete success for Hidden Relic. We made new contacts, learned a few things, and most importantly we enjoyed the weekend with kindest family I’ve ever known.
Somewhere between 2,000-3,000 people flooded the Waterbowl to see good music, spread love, and support environmental initiatives. Smiling faces, dancing feet, and blue skies were the highlights of the weekend for me. All the bands were phenomenal, but I will say Pnuma Trio is now in my top 5 favorite bands.
More Reviews and Photos
Unearthed at Wuhnurth Video Documentary
DN Online “Ball State Daily News Online” Review
Wuhnurth Music Festival 2009 on Last.fm
Album ~ “Europe 72, Vol. 2” by The Grateful Dead
Editorial Review from Amazon.com
“Europe ’72 , a triple live album documenting its historic trek across Europe became not only one of the band’s best-selling releases, but also set the gold standard for live Dead. Now the group proves you can never get too much of a good thing when it revisits that legendary collection with Europe ’71 Vol. 2, an essential continuation of the original that includes more than two hours of unreleased performances from that storied tour.
Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux, who produced this 20-track compilation, says he only chose song titles that did not appear on Europe ’72 as a way to complement the original. “I think this album, coupled with Europe ’72, represents a complete overview of the tour in every way,” he says. “In fact, songs like “Beat It On Down The Line,” “Next Time You See Me” and “Sing Me Back Home” were selected by the Grateful Dead for the first set, but were left off because there wasn’t enough room.”
In a nod to the original, Vol. 2 features new cover art by Stanley Mouse, the artist who helped create the iconic artwork from Europe ’72, which features the return of the legendary Ice Cream Kid. “Trouble comes in many flavors. Ice Cream Kid is in hot water. The jury is out. His only defense is love,” says Mouse of the Kid’s return.
Recorded at various locations during the band’s 22-show tour, the collection captures the Dead in white-hot moments of improvisational revelry as the band explores a number of its most enduring songs, like “Bertha,” “Sugaree” and “Playing In the Band,” plus relatively obscure cuts like “Black-Throated Wind” and Pigpen’s “Chinatown Shuffle.”
As a special treat, the set includes an epic hour-plus jam that combines “Dark Star” and “The Other One.” Recorded at the Bickershaw Festival, it was the only show on this tour where the band broke out both of these beloved improvisational showpieces. Vol. 2 also includes “Good Lovin” and “Dire Wolf” from the April 26 show at Jahrhundert Halle in Frankfurt, West Germany. While much of that concert was released on 1995’s Hundred Year Hall, these particular tracks were not included and have remained unreleased until now.
The high-quality sound heard on Vol. 2 stems from painstaking work done by Jeffrey Norman, who has been the primary mixer of the Dead’s archival multi-track material for the past 15 years. For this release, he mixed each show from the original 16-track recordings while two-time Grammy®-winning engineer David Glasser mastered the music to HDCD specs.”
Websites & Links: Dead.net | Europe 72 Vol. 2
