Rebirth Brass Band at the 9:30 Club
What I remember about first seeing the Rebirth Brass Band is that they were just kids and they were wholly portable. Unlike most other musical outfits in New Orleans, that…
Beatle Fronts Nirvana in 12-12-12 Benefit
It was the most audacious sounding mash-up of megalegends, but just the kind of thing that would be a highlight of a show full of them, “12-12-12: The Concert for…
Ravi Shankar, 1920-2012: Sitar Master Who Changed Western Rock
The master of Indian sitar, whose music influenced Western music at the highest levels, died Tuesday near San Diego. Ravi Shankar was 92. The office of India Prime Minister Manmohan…
Dave Brubeck, 1920-2012
One day before his 92nd birthday, jazz great Dave Brubeck died at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut on Wednesday. The pianist and composer was one of the first huge stars of…
Neil Young Burning Down the Patriot Center
Neil Young is back on tour with Crazy Horse, and also back using those oversized props of amps, and amp covers, and a giant microphone on stage, a commentary perhaps…
At a House Concert in Mt. Pleasant
I’ve been enjoying knocking around the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood I’ve been living in for about a year. The onetime suburban outpost of Northwest D.C. and terminus of the trolley line…
Sufjan’s Christmas Singalong Tour Stop
Sufjan Stevens is one of those guys who really gets into the holidays. He produces a new five-song EP for friends every season and every few years or so boxes…
Dylan in D.C.: Twice as Many ‘Tempest’ Songs
It’s been way too long since I’ve seen a Bob Dylan show – two years to the day according to my research. Moving, settling, being out of town when he…
Roky Erickson Back on the Road
Roky Erickson lumbered on stage Monday at D.C.’s Rock n Roll Hotel as his young backup band, led by his son, were already playing an odd variant of “Bo Diddley.”…
Sandy Benefit Brings ‘Hope and Dreams’ (and Money)
In the end, Bruce Springsteen did not sing “My City’s in Ruin,” which he did for the 9/11 telethon. Nor did he do “Fourth of July, Asbury Park (Sandy).” For…