JB @ Ram’s Head Live

Hello! And Happy Thanksgiving! (Traditionally, has been my favorite Holiday).  At long last … a new post.  It has been a busy week. Went to two excellent shows and both were well worth the cash and gas!!

First up, was the Australian group, John Butler Trio at Ram’s Head Live in Baltimore. A bit of a hike from NVA during rush-hour, but worth every minute (nearly 2 hours!).  If you’ve never seen them, I highly recommend. Heck, even if you’ve never heard of them, you should catch them if you get the chance.  Especially in a smallish venue, like Ram’s Head. I saw them at Wolf Trap earlier this year and that was a great show.  But at Ram’s Head … well … it was just awesome! Went with my oldest son (18) and we had a blast. This is one of the few groups that I can honestly say (in my humble opinion) is best experienced live! The sounds and colors he elicits with a slide on that beat-up 12-string is truly remarkable! He played some new stuff and some standards, including a flawless rendition of ‘Ocean.’ Great show, cool venue. Check him out when you can!

The second show was the incredibly original writer, poet, and lyricist – Mike Doughty. His ‘Question Jar’

Mike D. @ Jammin Java

shows are extremely entertaining and the banter he shares with his cellist and cohort, Andrew ‘Scrap’ Livingston, is quite funny.  Promoting his new album, ‘Stellar Motel’ he also included many of his mainstays. This was the first time I had heard him play many of them on a banjo! (Wait, is there a theme running here?).  We caught them at Jammin Java in Vienna, VA.  First time at that venue. Nice place, small and is a good local spot to catch some good artists @ low cost (ha). My only disappointment was that my son had to bail (for good reason and I applaud his decision. He’s a good man, that boy!)

As for me … well … I’ve completed a few new works that I hope to get recorded and posted this weekend …. after the ‘food-coma’ wears off a bit! Off to start the stuffing!

Best,

Bill W.