Well that was one for the books. While Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is consistently one of the most exploratory and compelling bands on the scene, they always seem to push their limits for the Colorado faithful and this year was no different.
Last Tuesday was one of the coldest nights of the year, but that didn’t deter the faithful from making their way up to the 1stBank Center for the second night of the String Cheese Incident 2014 New Year’s Run. Again, the 6,500 seat room was not close to sold-out but the energy was there and everyone was anticipating a great night of music and, from the monster “Best Feeling” opener through the blissful “Little Hands” closer, they go what they came for.
The New Riders of the Purple Sage play this Saturday, December 7th at Quixote’s True Blue and we recommend not missing it, but if you don’t believe us maybe Johnny can convince you, “The band is sounding great right now. We’ve been on the road for the past couple months and these engines are purring.” Like Johnny says, “I’d by a ticket to that.” The band also has a new album out called 17 Pine Avenue featuring songs collaboratively written by longtime Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter and David Nelson.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops and Elephant Revival co-headlined the Denver Botanic Gardens last week, with Nederland based Elephant Revival providing the soundtrack to the darker hours. As Denverites spread blankets on the grass and brie onto bread as bottles were uncorked, a cities resident’s smiled together.
Bob Weir stops into The Paramount this week on his solo acoustic tour and by all accounts this is a must see show as he transforms from the front man to the man up front, going it alone like the archetypal cowboy. It’s Weir boiled down: passionate singing, masterful songwriting, unique guitar work, and surely some hilarious one-liners delivered in his classic deadpan style. So ante up to play another hand with Bobby but don’t be surprised when he lays down a Royal Flush, Aces back-to-back.
Seven hours Southwest of Denver, nestled in a box canyon surrounded by steep cliffs and Aspen trees, lies an old mining town that has been the setting for many a magical musical memory. As its name implies, the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival was started 19 years ago to celebrate craft beer and a specific genre of music; but over the years the festival line-up has became more diverse, and this year’s festivities raised the bar and established Telluride Blues and Brews as a festival that ANY music lover would want to attend.
The Bluebird was an interesting mix of aging hippies, buttoned up 50 somethings out for a rare show, and Jamband kids checking one off the “Legends List” last Thursday night. Little Feat is one of the true legendary jambands of all time and they proved it yet again as they delivered a high energy two hour set that wove in and out of classic originals, fresh new tunes, and even a choice cover. They may not be playing the big sheds anymore, but they are clearly loving what they do and they are still doing it damn well.
Little Feat is a band that has been in the trenches of Rock and Roll since the revolution began. In 1969, Frank Zappa suggested Lowel George leave The Mothers of Invention and form his own band, and that same year George formed Little Feat with the goal of combining Blues, Funk, Country, Folk, Rhythm and Blues and Rock and Roll. Listen Up Denver! had the honor of catching up with Little Feat’s Paul Barrere while he was in a hotel in New York, and we talked Feat past and present.
All throughout the night, the energy swelled as Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers filled the air with lively and passionate music. Each member of the six-piece ensemble was given ample time to display their talents despite sharing the stage with such a gifted and accomplished artist. Even though each individual solo was well played and well received, nothing was more impressive than the sum total of all the parts on stage. The generosity and humility displayed by Bruce is part of what makes him so much fun to see.
