Radio Vagabond

09/20/2018

08/12/2018

For all those who knew Danny, he passed from this world July 24th 2018. he will be greatly missed. He had a unique view of this world, and a gift of the love of all things music. Goodbye Danny.

06/23/2018

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings graced the stage of the majestic Orpheum as part of their brief Southwest Summer Tour. With the stark simplicity of 2 shared guitars, banjo & harmonica, Gillian & David enthralled the audience w/songs from their deep catalogs including My First Lover, Red Clay Halo, Time (the Revelator) and Cumberland Gap. Stating,"it wouldn't feel right if we didn't leave you with a killin' song", they ended with Caleb Meyer. Encores included Orphan Girl, Look at Miss Ohio & I'll Fly Away. A 2nd encore offered up Long Black Veil sans microphones. Just perfect.

06/10/2018

Justin Townes Earle & Lydia Loveless are embarking on an intimate acoustic summer tour. Lydia was slightly intimidated by the MIM, remarking that she's used to PBRs tossed at her. Perhaps in deference to Justin, she didn't play Steve Earle, but led with Chris Isaak. She continued with a strong 40-minute set. Justin was much more demonstrative with the audience. Opening with Champagne Corolla from last year's Kids In The Street, he talked at length about Memphis BBQ & his grandfather, Jack Dublin Earle. There were covers by Mance Lipscomb, Lightnin' Hopkins & the Carter Family and a few words on the Ophiod epidemic. He encored with a Malcolm Holcombe tune and Replacements Can't Hardly Wait.

04/18/2018

Proclaiming "the dance floor is open", Dale Watson kicked things off with Sit & Drink & Cry, followed by Where Do You Want It? He then offered up songs & stories of Truckin', Drinkin' & real country music. Dale played an Eddie Arnold request after giving the crowd a tutorial in classic country nicknames. The audience showed their appreciation with a constant barrage of tequila shots and Lone Star (liquid Vi**ra, cures assholism) which were being served that night only. Stating "If you're still here, you should question your motives", he encored w/new tune, Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb, then Blessed or Damned and Johnny Paycheck's A-11. A happy, drunken night was had by all.

03/11/2018

The Blasters have been performing their unique brand of Roots-Americana for almost 40 years. While Dave Alvin & Gene Taylor rarely play with the band anymore, the Blasters have always been propelled by Phil Alvin's vocals. While Phil has been battling health issues, his singing prowess is still in evidence. Playing to a sold-out audience, they opened with Long White Cadillac and followed with a succession of fan favorites: Border Radio, Dark Night, Trouble Bound, I'm Shakin' & So Long Baby, Goodbye. They ended their short but satisfying set with their stand-out classics, American Music and Marie Marie.

02/14/2018

Bruce Cockburn is an iconoclast musician who has released 31 albums, his newest being Bone On Bone. The last time I saw him perform was over 30 years ago. His songs of social & political activism remain compelling. Bruce began with Tokyo, then Lovers in a Dangerous Time then States I'm In. He gave wry commentary & witty asides between songs. Other favorites included If I Had a Rocket Launcher, Coldest Night of the Year & Wondering Where the Lions Are. His encored with Last Night of the World, I'll Give You 3 Al Pardy's for a $20 bill, a tribute to Canadian poet Al Pardy, and a politically-charged Stolen Land.

01/21/2018

If ever there was a musician "too country for country", it would be Marty Stuart. He and his Fabulous Superlatives, Chris Scruggs, Harry Stinson & Kenny Vaughan played a sold out show in support of Way Out West. His set list swayed from new songs like Lost in the Desert and Old Mexico to classic covers like El Paso, Pretty Boy Floyd, Blue Moon of Kentucky & Orange Blossom Special (amazing mandolin). They encored with Freight Train Boogie and Apache, featuring opener Deke Dickerson, then the theme from Bonanza (with song lyrics)! The show finally concluded with Time Don't Wait.

12/09/2017

Radio Vagabond Top 10 of 2017

1. Son Volt - Notes of Blue
2. Jason Isbell - The Nashville Sound
3. Old 97's - Graveyard Whistling
4. Steve Earle - So You Wannabe An Outlaw
5. Alejandro Escovedo - Burn Something Beautiful
6. Ryan Adams - Prisoner
7. Gov't Mule - Revolution Come...Revolution Go
8. Justin Townes Earle - Kids In The Street
9. Turnpike Troubadours - A Long Way From Your Heart
10.Chuck Prophet - Bobby Fuller Died For Your Sins

11/12/2017

Hayes Carll and Band of Heathens. A musical collaboration that was inspired. The Band of Heathens opened with a short 1/2 hr. set featuring songs from Duende. They then returned to back up Hayes Carll. This great match-up featured one new song, Wild Pointy Finger, as well as Drunken Poet's Dream, I Don't Wanna Grow Up & Trouble In Mind. After singing Beaumont, he allowed that German fans were planning vacations there due to the romanticism of the song! Due to a curfew, Hayes cut short most of the stories that permeate his sets (except Mullet Launchers). His encore was appropriately Stomp and Holler.