Jason Isbell with Shovels and Rope, Pabst Theater, February 23, 2016

photo by Stephen Bloch

Going into the Pabst Theater on a crisp late winter evening, I knew that Jason Isbell was a fantastic songwriter.  2013's Southeastern  and 2015's Something More Than Free are both masterpiece records filled with the exceptional lyrical imagery and subtle sentiment that has earned Isbell elite status among modern Americana songwriters.  Something More Than Free, in fact was my "Pipes's Picks" Record of the Year last year, and also earned Jason Isbell Grammy Awards recently.  After more than three hours of great music, I left the Pabst Theater realizing that Isbell is not only a superb songwriter but a premier performer as well.

Simply put, Isbell and his backing band, "The 800 Unit,"  are a well-oiled Americana juggernaut. Something More Than Free, and Southeastern, but also mixed in older solo tracks and material from previous bands.  The show in some ways was a career retrospective, but all seemed to fit together with hopeful emotion stringing along the set like lights on a Christmas tree. The road-weary feel and bitter sweetness of "Alabama Pines" (a track off of 2011's record Here We Rest) was a show highlight and fit in nicely alongside tracks that Isbell penned with his previous band, The Drive By Truckers, ("Decoration Day" and "Never Gonna Change.")

 Their well-mixed and crisp sound resonated over a generous two hour long set.  From the first chorus of show opener, "Palmetto Rose," I knew we were in for a special evening of music.  Isbell's deep crooning vocals, "And it's war that we wage to get up everyday,"  coupled with his wife Amanda Shire's hauntingly enchanting violin licks were goose bump inducing.   Isbell's set featured a heavy amount of tracks from

While the older tracks were well-received, the songs from Isbell's last two albums shined brightly and elicited warm reactions from the sold-out crowd at the Pabst.  While Isbell's carefully selected guitar jams hooked listeners, it was Shires's complimentary work on violin that really took the show from good to great.  Shires, a fellow singer-songwriter and virtuoso violinist, mesmerized the crowd demonstrating how excellent songs can come alive with subtle and well-articulated arrangements.

photo by Stephen Bloch

The chemistry between Isbell and Shires on stage was palpable.  The couple was celebrating their anniversary and took time to sing a cover of Warren Zevon's "Mutineer" to commemorate the occasion.  The earnest humbleness that was conveyed through the stage banter and dialogue between the two was also noteworthy.

photo by Stephen Bloch

Opening for Jason Isbell was Shovels and Rope, a husband and wife duo from Charleston, South Carolina, who in many ways resembled an Americana version of The White Stripes.  With both Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst trading off instruments and lead-vocal duties, Shovels and Rope were a band in constant motion and a thrill to watch.  Their 45 minute set was so rousing that it brought the crowd to its feet before Isbell even hit the stage and set the night up for success.  Shovels and Rope are working on a new album and are expected to be back in Milwaukee this fall.  Rest assured, I'll be there.

The Last Revel & the Joseph Huber Band- Anodyne Coffee Roasters, Feb 5, 2016

photo by Will Piper

If a good ol' fashioned hootenanny is your cure for the winter blues, then you should have been in attendance at Anodyne Coffee Roasters in Walker's Point for a great evening of foot stomping, hand clapping, sing-along Americana music. Opening the evening, was Joseph Huber and his band consisting of Jason Loveall on fiddle and Eaton Bennett on bass.  While perhaps best well-known as a founding member of the famous local "street grass" group, the .357 String Band, Huber has developed a very strong repertoire of tunes as a solo artist.  Huber's performance style is noteworthy of itself.  Sitting on an old suitcase, Huber thumped the the suitcase with a bass drum pedal on one foot and a tambourine on the other.  His set drew from his 2014 release The Hanging Road,  2010's Bury Me Where I Fall and a fair amount of newer songs from an upcoming record to be released later this year.  Coupled by Bennett's steady thumping on the upright bass and Loveall's quick witted fiddle jams, the capacity crowd at Anodyne came to life, dancing, and foot stomping to a level where you could feel the floor shake to old-timey numbers like "The Hanging Road," "Shovel on Your Shoulder," and "Tongues on Fire."  In many ways, the community feel of the performance and the eclectic crowd ranging from families with youngsters to college students to mid-lifers (like myself) to folks in their sixties and seventies made me think of what it might actually have been like to see music like this performed in a community barn a century ago.  After a robust hour plus set, Huber and his band mates were called back for a rare opening act encore, and did they ever deserve it!

photo by Will Piper

photo by Will Piper

After Huber's fantastic set, the Minneapolis trio, The Last Revel had a daunting task to match the energy and passion of Huber and his band mates, and they were able to do it with incomparable musicianship and soaring three-part harmonies.  The vocal prowess of The Last Revel and seamless instrument switching by the musicians from guitars to banjos to upright basses to fiddles made this act lively and engaging.  Tracks like "Unbound" off their self-titled 2015 release demonstrated both their homage to the traditional bluegrass genre and progression forward in their craft.  Other highlight tunes included the exquisite finger-picking banjo lines on "Iron and Ore," (also off of The Last Revel) and "Lead Me Home" off of their 2014 album, Uprooted.  After a riveting set, The Last Revel invited the Joseph Huber Band on stage for a goose-bump chilling rendition of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released."

photo by Charles Mayhew IV

As a fan of Americana music, I couldn't think of a better pairing of two aspiring acts performing to a graciously fun crowd at a pristine venue on a Friday night.  A great hootenanny was had by all who attended the show, and I will be looking to catch these acts once more when they next come through town.

Pipes's Picks of 2015: Live Music Highlights

As many of you know, seeing live music is one of my favorite hobbies.  2015 didn't disappoint, with a myriad of great live shows.

Here is a recap of some of my favorite musical moments.

Show of the Year: My Morning Jacket- Riverside Theater, June 20-21st

photo by Stephen Bloch

Two blistering shows with fantastic lights and spot-on performances of songs both new and old made My Morning Jacket's two night run at the Riverside an easy pick for concert of the year. Over the two nights, the band played 43 different tunes, creating two uniquely awesome nights of music.  "The Jacket," in my humble opinion, is the best live act on the planet these days and their concerts are truly unique and special musical experiences.

photo by Stephen Bloch

Best Musical Experience:  Eaux Claires Festival, Eaux Claire, WI, July 17-18

photo by Stephen Bloch

Certain musical moments will forever be etched into your memory, and the Eaux Claires festival was one of the coolest experiences I've ever been part of.  Two sweltering hot but gorgeous days in the Chippewa Valley yielded some extraordinary performances. The National's headlining set, Slyvan Esso's sweaty dance party- which made a tent of thousands bounce in unison, the etherial charm of Phox, the heartfelt performance by Sufjan Stevens, and the triumphant return of Bon Iver were just the tip of the iceberg of the highlights from this festival.  This was a superbly special musical experience that I am continually thankful to have attended.  

photo by Stephen Bloch

photo by Stephen Bloch

photo by Stephen Bloch

Breakout Show of the Year: Nikki Lane, Cactus Club, Feb 13th 
Nikki Lane played no less than five shows (that I know of) in Milwaukee this year.  They ranged from headlining gigs at the Cactus Club in February, August and November, to opening gigs this summer for Jenny Lewis and Social Distortion.  Lane certainly turned heads in the alternative country community last year with her All or Nothing record, and her relentless touring made her a household name around these parts this year.  I happened to see Lane and her band three times, my favorite of which was her Valentine's Day weekend show.  I can't wait to see what her third LP will contain when it's released in 2016, as she continues to hone and refine her craft as a songwriter.

photo by Stephen Bloch

Best Musical Discovery:  Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, Anodyne Coffee Roasters May 17, 2015
In terms of exceptional musicianship, there is little room to argue that Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen are not the creme de la creme of the modern bluegrass scene.  Mixing together original compositions and well-positioned covers, this band is the best thing I've seen in the bluegrass genre since vintage Bela Fleck shows from nearly a decade ago.

photo by Will Piper

Best Local Shows: Twin Brother and Buffalo Gospel

photo by Will Piper

Milwaukee is lucky to have a plethora of great acts playing out live these days.  Two up and coming Americana acts top my favorite local shows of the year.  Twin Brother features singer songwriter Sean Raasch who continues to refine his songwriting and craft.  He and his band played a stellar opening set for Water Liars at Cactus Club this past July. With stand-out tracks like "Fire Fire Fire" and "Heart and Soul," the sky's the limit for this group who are working on a new record for 2016.

photo by Will Piper

Buffalo Gospel is about as good of a roots Americana act as you'll find anywhere.  Seeing two of their shows this year, it is clear that this act improves each time it plays and is able to provide fresh takes on older material to keep it interesting to fans.  In addition, Ryan Necci's songwriting continues to take focus on their most recent EP, Waiting for the Lights To Go Out released last month.

Sam Cassidy- Club Garibali, 12/18/15

photo by Will Piper

Minneapolis song smith Sam Cassidy brought his all-American rock 'n roll train to town for a stop at Club Garibaldi's for an evening of good tunes and great times.  Cassidy's soulful voice was backed with a terrific band, the Red Daughters, which featuring two additional guitarists, a bass player, drummer and keyboardist.  The large ensemble brought a full sound and raw energy to a set of material which largely highlighted Cassidy's stellar debut release, 2014's Debts.

Cassidy's music harnesses a new take on a classic Minneapolis sound paved by acts like the Replacements and the Jayhawks.  A stalwart storyteller, Cassidy creates tunes with characters in mind and injects the listener into their tales. "Hard Road," describes hopeful perseverance in the face of adversity.  The jangly optimistic tracks "Hallelujah," "Caffeine," were other stand-outs.  Ruckus set closer, "Valley Below" showcased Sam Cassidy and the Red Daughters's biggest strength- the ability to tell-tales and put on a juggernaut of a rock show rock all at the same time.   Cassidy and his band mate's playful banter and humor was well-received, and the band seemed very relaxed and energetic in their performance.


Opening for Cassidy was Milwaukee singer-songwriter and Twin Brother bandleader Sean William Raasch.  Raasch performed a handful of newer tunes showcasing his passionate vocals and guitar playing.  Raasch mentioned working on a new record with Twin Brother next year and we can't wait to hear how that turns out.

photo by Will Piper

Pipes's Picks: Best 15 Albums of 2015

Honesty, soulfulness and word-smithing embodied the music I enjoyed the most this year. From juke-joint boogies to painful laments, thoughtful songwriting paved the way for a year of great music in 2015.

Pipes’s Picks: The Top 15 of ‘15
You can check out a playlist of these and other great music from this year on my Pipes's Picks of 2015 Playlist on Spotify:

15. Craig Finn- Faith in the Future

As the frontman for Lifter Puller and most notably the Hold Steady, Craig Finn has developed a unique style of vocals and songwriting in which listeners are transported into the lives of his characters and their adventures, often set in Minneapolis.  Branching out as a solo artist, Finn provides a greater depth, insight, and maturity that is reflective in his compositions.  Faith in the Future is perhaps the record that Hold Steady fans were yearning for as Finn proves that it is in reflecting on the past that we can build and improve on the future.   

14. El Vy- Return to the Moon

Powered by one of my favorite songs of the year, the title track, “Return to the Moon,” the side project of the National’s Matt Beringer and Brent Knopf of Mnemonea and Ramona Falls delivers a collection of quirkily infectious tunes.  These are songs that get stuck in your head and stay there- both lyrically and sonically.

13. Chris Stapleton- Traveller

Soulful country singer, Chris Stapleton’s deeply passionate vocals and superb lyrics make this release one that transcends genres.  In many ways, Stapleton epitomizes the classic country songwriter in his ability to transport his listeners into the midst of his songs and stories. Traveller provides a powerful antithesis to much of the "bro country" that has dominated the genre in recent years and is a marquee record for the country-Americana genre.

 

12.  The Turnpike Troubadours- The Turnpike Troubadours

The red dirt band from Oklahoma City put out their finest collection of fiddle-driven ditties with their third record, this year's self-titled release.  Even Felker’s lyrics have evolved, allowing the Troubadours to truly shape their tunes in the spirit of classic American country artists. With innovative, staggered instrumentation the Turnpike Troubadours both branch off from and holds true to a classic Americana sound simultaneously.

11. Courtney Barnett- Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit

Fast-paced catchy garage rock riffs with raw power chords serve as the backdrop for the witty, rambling lyrics and stories penned by Melbourne’s Courtney Barnett, an artist who many will consider the break-out new star of 2015.  Barnett’s songs tell stories of sensational things happening at mundane times, and are engaging listen after listen.

10. Alabama Shakes- Sound and Color

In their sophomore release, Alabama Shakes steps up as a mainstream southern rock force driven by Brittany Howard’s soaring vocals.  With a more soulful and refined sound, Alabama Shakes prove that they are a force to be reckoned with with this intense soul and rock record.

9.  Wilco- Star Wars

Jeff Tweedy sings, “I don’t want to go, and I don’t want to stay,” in “You Satellite,” somewhat encapsulating the sentiment of Star Wars, a collection of heavily nuanced shorter songs, that takes the band in a different direction than their previous work- yet staying true to form, all at the same time.  The star of this record is Nels Cline, whose highly textured guitar work brings life and intrigue to many of the tracks.

8.  Tame Impala- Currents

With Currents Tame Impala deepened and expanded their sounds, making the psychedelic quartet from Perth, Australia a bona fide top tier indie rock act.  Top to bottom this album is powered by deep grooves, catchy melodies, and soaring vocals that create a sweeping sonic quilt of a record.  

7.  Matthew E. White- Fresh Blood

With a voice, smooth as chocolate mousse and a sonic quality that at times feels like it belongs on the Time-Life Records A.M. Gold compilation, Matthew E. White delivers a fresh take on a soulful sound, punctuated by personal storytelling the draws the listener in.  With a foot in the lounge sound and another in the soul camp, White delivers a powerful collection of tales set to an almost timeless soundtrack.  

6.  Phil Cook- Southland Mission

A true feel-good record that has something for everyone is hard to come by, but Phil Cook harnesses the power of a hybrid country-rock-soul-folk sound with Southland Mission.  The soaring harmonies of “Ain’t It Sweet” will hook you into this exceptional record from the opening seconds of the first track.  Genre redefining, Cook varies his compositions from country to folk to rock to bluegrass to soul and back to rock all in the course of a single track.  Yep, he’s that good.

5.  Father John Misty- I Love You, Honeybear

It’s hard to listen to Father John Misty without the image of Josh Tillman in his vintage leisure suit slinking around the stage.  A consummate storyteller, Misty takes you on a melody driven journey into the lives of intriguing characters in an album that sees him continue to hone his skills and evolve as an artist.

4.  My Morning Jacket- The Waterfall

With their strongest studio release since their breakthrough record  Z, which was released a decade earlier, Jim James and the boys from Louisville deliver a collection of tracks that build upon their multi-layered rock tapestry.  “Believe (Nobody Knows),” “Compound Fracture,” “In Its Infancy,” “Springtime” and “Tropics” have all become instant classics as part of their live set.

3. Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats- Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats

Indie folk’s stalwart road man, Nathaniel Rateliff’s venture into soul music provided one of the most fun, insightful and powerful listens of the year.  Rateliff’s vocals are rich and textured and accompanied by a top-tier rhythm and blues band, the Night Sweats, make this record both a living incarnation of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in The Blues Brothers and a cathartic autobiography about aging, searching for purpose, and life on the road all at the same time.  

2.  Sufjan Stevens- Carrie & Lowell

With deeply personal narratives about childhood, family, loss and redemption. Stevens most intimate release delivers a true gem of a record for an artist with a penchant for telling remarkable stories. The raw, more minimalist compositions on Carrie & Lowell transport the listener through tales of childhood, family dysfunction and ultimately hope.

1. Jason Isbell- Something More Than Free

There are storytellers, and then there is Jason Isbell.  As an artist who has mastered the concept of allowing space between his lyrics to allow for listeners to draw their own conclusions, Isbell delivers arguably his finest collection of eleven songs this year.  From the the jangly poppy, “If It Takes a Lifetime,” to the reflective “24 Frames” (tied with El Vy’s “Return to the Moon” as my favorite song of the year), to the powerful “Children of Children” and rocking “Palmetto Rose,” Isbell paints a tragically hopeful picture  in his album about searching for a greater existence and growing up, amply titled, “Something More Than Free.”

Buffalo Gospel, Hello Death, Christopher Porterfield- Anodyne Coffee Roasters- December 5, 2015

photo by Will Piper

About half-way through their set, Ryan Necci, frontman of Buffalo Gospel, stopped to thank the crowd for being so respectful and listening. Loud jabbering and side conversations between audience members were a rare sight to find at Andodyne Coffee Roasters, and rightfully so, as fans enjoyed the musical nuances and subtle fills that define the Buffalo Gospel sound.

Buffalo Gospel concerts are truly special events- feeling on one hand like a group of friends gathered around a living room for some good ol' fashioned Americana music, and on the other hand they have a feeling of a big deal show to their devout fans.  While Buffalo Gospel may still be considered by many Milwaukee's best kept musical secret, judging by the capacity crowd at Anodyne Coffee Roasters in Waker's Point, it is clear that word of mouth is spreading about this remarkable act.

photo by Will Piper

It is evident from the audience perspective that the five members of Buffalo Gospel who took the stage really enjoy playing with one another.  The playful interplay between singer-songwriter and guitarist Ryan Necci, mandolinist Ryan Ogburn and guitarist Christopher Porterfield was evident throughout the night, as the band put new spins on older tunes and tied together jams in newer numbers. Following the release of their EP Waiting for the Lights to Go Out this past week, Buffalo Gospel delivered a robust set highlighting both newer and older material.  The two tracks off the EP, "Waiting for the Lights to Go Out," and "Garden in the Gave," were both set highlights and very well received.  In a surprise move, Buffalo Gospel even managed to channel the Grateful Dead in their set, performing "Hoarse as a Crow," and then flowing the rousing song into "Friend of the Devil" and back into "Hoarse as a Crow."  The set closer, "Mule," (my personal favorite of the Buffalo Gospel catalogue), was especially poignant, leaving the crowd gently singing along to the chorus, "You never know when a little love is all you need until a little love is all you got."  

Opening for Buffalo Gospel were two other highly talented Milwaukee acts.  Hello Death is a minimalist folk group whose name fits their style of music well.  Haunting harmonies, softly eerie compositions and a general sense of beautiful moroseness surrounded their set.   Upright bass player Nathaniel Heuer's deep baritone vocal sets the stage for the darker timbres that surround the sonic quality of this act.

Kicking off the night was an extraordinary set by Christopher Porterfield who played several cuts off of Field Report's latest release Marigolden which he has toured both by himself and with his band in support of for over the past year.  "Fergus Falls" from his first record and a new tune, "Summertime Songs," also made their way into the set.   I've had the pleasure of seeing Porterfield on several occasions, and I find that he is an artist who continually improves.  His guitar playing with his solo set was excellent and showcased the musical talents of this stellar songsmith.

As always, Anodyne Coffee Roasters remain a five star venue in Milwaukee- with a great room for Americana music.

Buffalo Gospel Setlist:
The Western (the Devil in Me)
18 Wheeler
Letters to Georgia
Hard Labor Side of Gettin' On
The Northern
Waiting For the Lights to Go Out
High Time to Hang Fire
Hoarse as a Crow ->
Friend of the Devil* ->
Hoarse as a a Crow
Hill Outside My home
When God's Away on Business
Garden in the Grave
Old I Do of Mine
Son of a Gun
Mule
Encore:
Here Lies Our Lovin'
If I Was the Last Man

*- Grateful Dead cover

El Vy- Turner Hall Ballroom, 11/20/15

photo courtesy of Gigshots by Stephen Bloch

Gone was the charcoal gray three piece suit and bottle of red wine, and in its place was a crisply pressed white shirt and matching white slacks when charismatic baritone vocalist Matt Beringer took the stage on Friday night in front of a sold out crowd at Milwaukee's Turner Hall Ballroom.  El Vy, is the collective side project of longtime friends, Matt Beringer (of The National) and Brent Knopf (of Menomena/Ramona Falls).  The duo were joined on stage by drummer Andy Stack (of Wye Oak) and a bass player for an energetic hour-long set which featured performances of all eleven tracks off of the duo's debut release,  Return to the Moon.

El Vy is very much it's own project.  Summed up in one word, El Vy is clever.  Beringer's distinctive low haunting voice and signature crouched stance over the microphone was ever-present, but lyrically and musically, this project is a stark contrast to The National.  The brooding, longing laments of The National are replaced with brighter songs focused on catchy wordplay and electro-pop melodies.  My personal favorite, the title track "Return to the Moon," starts off with the line "I scratched a ticket with the leg of a cricket and I got triple Jesus," an image that just seems to stick in your head.  Pair this with in infectious guitar hook and melody, and you've got yourself one of the best songs released this year (in my opinion).  Many of the songs off of Return to the Moon also translate well live.  "I'm the Man" is perhaps the most musically adventurous number, with a driving bass line and multiple layers of sounds and samples going over it.  In many ways it sounds like a lost track of Beck's from the Odelay era.   Other slower tracks like "It's A Game" and "Silent Ivy Hotel" had their own distinct sway and swagger to them.

photo courtesy of Gigshots by Stephen Bloch

Adding to the performance was a top-tier light show, not something you often see with side-project bands, which often draped Beringer and Knopf in rainbow-like halos during the tracks.  Each song was lit differently adding more depth to the performance.

As an added treat, El Vy covered Fine Young Cannibals's 1989 smash, "She Drives Me Crazy," which was an interesting choice to hear Beringer sing the vocals in a low voice when the song was originally performed in falsetto.

Before their last number, "Need a Friend," El Vy thanked the Pabst Riverside Theater Group for their support, generosity and kindness, and especially called out another Matt Beringer (this time the Matt Beringer who helps manage the theater who has the same namesake as the singer of The National and El Vy who apparently has gotten emails for the National front man in the past).  As a member of the audience, I too have to give major props to Matt Beringer (from the Pabst) and his team for bringing great, interesting acts like El Vy to town.  The only complaint that was felt in the audience is that we wished to hear more of El Vy (even thought they played all of their numbers), as many audience members lingered around after the show wanting to hear more from this eclectic act.

photo courtesy of Gigshots by Stephen Boch

Setlist:
Careless
It's a Game
Sleepin' Light
Sad Case
Happiness, Missouri
Silent Ivy Hotel
Return to the Moon
Paul is Alive
I'm the Man to Be
She Drives Me Crazy* Fine Young Cannibals cover
No Time
Need a Friend

photo courtesy of Gigshots by Stephen Bloch