New Guitar Prodigy - Marcus Machado

So I would consider myself a fan of guitar talent. You know - Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck...the list could go on. I'm also a fan of the latest "young guns" of  as Rolling Stone magazine has aptly named them - blues man Gary Clark Jr., the youngest funk guitarist ever Brandon Niederauer and now there's the Jimi Hendrix-meets-Stevie Ray Vaughn aficionado Marcus Machado. His style is clean and well...I just hope we see more from him real soon.



11 year old Brandon Niederauer joins Gary Clark Jr. on stage in Central Park this summer

 Enjoy, music friends.

 

A Little Bit Softer Now... Nora's Americana Music obsession

Hello music friends! I'm not sure if it's the cold weather or the yoga practices I've been participating in lately, but I've recently noticed that my Pandora station rarely deviates from the Jason Isbell station. This has meant a resurgence in my love of Americana and alternative country music.

Jason Isbell was once the frontman for the ultimate alternative country band, the Drive-By Truckers. He's moved on to a wildly successful solo career, as well as playing with another more rootsy band called the 400 Unit.

Americana music has always been a favorite of mine - Dan the Man started me young on bands like Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Joni Mitchell, John Mellencamp and Bonnie Raitt. What I love about it is it takes the wonderful storytelling that you find in country music and removes the cheesiness and ungenuine qualities (generally, Americana musicians are much better, skilled musicians than that of other country music). Now, some of my favorite artists are in the Americana genre - Nicki Bluhm, Jason Isbell, Amos Lee, Ryan Adams, Ryan Bingham. All have powerful vocals with soothing acoustic sounds.

I love the sense of calm I feel when listening to Americana - since there's always a good story, it's like a really good, short podcast with awesome musicians. Even on the rock n' roll end of the Americana spectrum - bands like Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers or the Black Crowes - its always easy to listen and makes me feel good. It incorporates all the elements of American music that I love - rock n' roll, some country twang in the slide guitar, R&B melodies in the piano and horn sections, the storytelling of folk music.

As we enter a cold season of semi-hibernation and holiday reflection, let yourself get cozy and enjoy some Americana sounds :)

Happy holidays friends!

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Goddamn Lonely Love

Jason Isbell - Elephant

Amos Lee - Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight

Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers - In the Mountains

HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY TO MY BEST FRIEND, DAN THE MAN!!

Funky friends - December 2nd is a very special day in my books - it's my best friend and father's birthday. 2014 marks a very special year for Dan the Man - the big 6-5! For those of you who have had the pleasure of meeting DT, I think you would agree with me in saying he doesn't look a day over 30. He's an avid ultimate frisbee player and lover of all things fun in life. He's the best concert companion a girl could ask for and he's the best travel buddy I know.

Kermit Ruffins & Rebirth Brass Band - Happy Birthday

In honor of my pops' birthday, and considering that I am the musical vagabond, I'm starting off my dad's birthday right with a little New Orleans horns birthday wish courtesy of Kermit Ruffins and a funky birthday wish courtesy of the late 
great Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix - Happy Birthday

I know this blog tends to have a sarcastic tone, but there is nothing sarcastic about this: DT, thanks for being the best dad and role model a girl could ask for. I'm a lucky chick :)

Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson's New Collaboration - Funkiest I've Heard in a While!!!

So I'm freaking out slightly over Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson's new funky collab - 'Uptown Funk' and 'Feel Right', featuring the one and only...MYSTIKAL!!

I love everything that Bruno Mars does live so when I saw that he performed this on SNL, I had to check it out. I had no idea he had tapped into everything that is funky and created something that Prince, James Brown and George Clinton would be more than proud of. Bruno Mars' musical style with his backup singers/dancers, the Hooligans, and London-based producer Mark Ronson come together perfectly. Mark Ronson puts on a stellar funk guitar performance to back up Bruno Mars' dancing theatrics and the horn section was as tight as any I've seen (and let's be honest - I would say I'm a self-proclaimed horn section aficionado).

The 'Feel Right' performance blew my mind, Mystikal doing a fantastic combination of his unique New Orleans-style rap and a James Brown performance that was borderline uncanny. I have a new respect for Mystikal.

This Mark Ronson genius doesn't end here - the much-awaited album "Uptown Special" is expected for release on January 27th, 2015. You KNOW I'm ready.

They came, They Saw, They Got REALLLL Funky - Marc Broussard & Mingo Fishtrap - October 2nd, 2014 - The Hamilton Live, DC

OK, Hamilton Live. You've done it. You've officially given me the best show I've ever seen at your fine, fine venue. Not a difficult feat, however, when you combine two of my favorite artists: one of the best funk jam bands right now out of Austin, TX - Mingo Fishtrap - and one of the most soulful voices of our time - Mr. Marc Broussard.

Yesterday (written on October 3rd - sorry for the late post), Mingo Fishtrap and Marc Broussard joined forces to bring funk and soul music to the ears of DC's finest music venue. I had seen Marc Broussard several times by himself and each show was a little different - I've only seen him play with a full band once at Antone's (in other news, Antone's opened a new location in the East Riverside area of Austin, TX - that stupid location has thankfully shut down and is returning to downtown Austin - LONG LIVE, LIVE MUSIC!!). Every other performance has been an acoustic solo performance at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, MD - I adore this venue and most of Marc's acoustic ballads. However, I'm sure you know by now that I like to GET DOWN, so this acoustic setup didn't always do it for me. I had seen Mingo Fishtrap for the first time at The Hamilton in June, and been a fan for about 3 years - I would gladly see them at least once a month. How beyond enthusiastic I was to hear that Mingo Fishtrap AND Marc Broussard would be touring together and - no, it can't be - PLAYING TOGETHER?! Best band ever. And they did not disappoint.

The Musical Vagabond with her bestie (by that I mean me and Andrea)

I arrived at The Hamilton about a half hour before doors even open (which I don't normally do because...I'm too cool, I suppose - and because generally it's a monumental waste of time). This time around, it was completely necessary. The Hamilton Live venue is in the basement of the actual Hamilton restaurant and for a 6:30 doors show, there was already a line up the stairs at 6pm. For some show like - oh I don't know - THE FOO FIGHTERS PLAYING THE BLACKCAT - this is nothing because there was a 2 block radius line around the venue (sorry, I'm pretty bitter). But for The Hamilton Live, which has up-and-coming acts or funk and brass bands with the limited following, this was notable. I was meeting Dan the Man and my bestie Andrea and husband Peter (new to the vagabond blog, but will make more appearances soon). They were all coming from College Park, so I was responsible for getting a good spot in the standing room only area of the Hamilton. The Hamilton Live has no reserved seats, so everything is first come-first serve.

We got a great spot, got some delish pizza and waited anxiously (at least I did) for the show to start. We were met with a lovely surprise named Andy Suzuki. He's a local guy from Rockville who played a short acoustic set, including a cover of one of me and Dan the Man's favorite songs by Amos Lee, 'Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight'.

After a short intermission, what looked and sounded a lot like a New Orleans Second Line began parading around The Hamilton. COULD IT BE?! - MINGO FISHTRAP! It was time. Rewind to about 3 months before this show to when I had seen Mingo Fishtrap for the first time.


I've been a fan for a few years, going back to my days in Austin. Austin has a unique but also predictable sound - outlaw country, Texas swing, folk, with a little twinge of hippie rebellion (see Willie Nelson). Some of the Austin bands I've come to love - The Band of Heathens, Reckless Kelly - fit this bill quite nicely. And THEN I heard Mingo Fishtrap for the first time. Were they all actually from New Orleans and just fell in love with Austin the way I did? Was James Brown reincarnated into a hippie white dude from Mississippi? I love everything about this band.

Mingo Fishtrap @ Austin's legendary Stubb's

  Luckily, my partner in crime Andrea was willing to go to the front of the stage, which at the Hamilton, means you are basically ON stage. Mingo Fishtrap brought the funk immediately. They played some of my favorites from their new album, 'On Time', as well as some stellar soul covers. There were even some fireside chats - obviously the best part of any show. My favorite was the prelude to performing the title track of their album 'On Time'. Lead singer Roger Blevins, Jr. started by talking about how he was discussing with a man at a bar - the best way to begin a conversation - how much they both despise shows like The Voice and American Idol and how you will never get someone as uniquely talented as a Ray Charles or a James Brown from a manufactured show like this. I COULD NOT AGREE MORE - I live my life wondering why a band like Mingo Fishtrap is in the background and some other choice artists (not naming names) are in the spotlight for far less talent. I couldn't even imagine how upset this fact made Mingo Fishtrap and bands like them everywhere. But Mr. Blevins, Jr. surprised and impressed me with his humble and kind attitude by saying that he can't be mad at someone for having their time to shine if he is indeed trying to do the same thing. He named the song and the album 'On Time' as an optimistic message to say I'm not shining quite yet but I'll be 'on time' when I do. I think we can all take a lesson from that type of optimism.

Mingo Fishtrap - "On Time"

After a few more funky numbers, it was time for the intermission between Mingo Fishtrap and the headliner - Marc Broussard. Initially hearing about this tour, I thought it was going to a be an opening act-headliner situation. MIND BLOWN: Mingo and Marc playing together. Meanwhile, Andrea and I had scored a sweet concert neighbor - older woman there by herself with what resembled an Indian sari and an African headwrap and some of the longest braids I've ever seen. The kind souls at the Hamilton let her all the way to the front middle of the stage where she comfortably placed her purse on the stage next to the amps (right in front of Marc's mic stand) and for all intents and purposes, had moved into the Hamilton for the night. When the music started she was my hero - some hippie arm motions, knowing every word to every Marc song AND every obscure Motown cover that I thought only a music nerd like myself - and my father - would know. Marc gave her a shout out a few times - pretty cute.

I digress - Marc started with a few of his popular slower songs, just him, his drummer and bassist. His band left the stage and he played a few heartfelt acoustic songs such as The Wanderer and provided some ammo for some audience call-and-response. When it was time to speed things up, his 3 piece band did not come back - no, no - but rather ALL of Mingo Fishtrap came on stage. Talk about a supergroup.



They really helped Marc rock out on his most popular number, 'Home', with a swampy, raw, bluesy sound. I've heard him do this song a few times acoustic and it does not do 'Home' justice. They KILLED some soul/Motown covers, one of Marc's most famous being 'Love and Happiness' as well as Bill Withers' 'Who is He (And What is He to You)'. Me and my older hippie spirit guide we rockin' this in the crowd. Totally normal. Then they went into Bob Marley's 'Waiting in Vain'. They do it all.

Mingo Fishtrap & Marc Broussard - "Waiting in Vain"

So much of this show was incredible, but the moment I think I had a cartoon-esque moment of my mind literally blowing up inside my skull was after Marc Broussard had introduced Mingo Fishtrap and walked off stage. Would it be totally insane to say that next, Mingo Fishtrap broke into a Lettuce funk cover? Well, my friends, it happened. I didn't know what to do. Me and Dan freaked. OUT.

As I stated in my opening argument, this was one of the best shows I've ever seen - definitely the best I've seen at the Hamilton. It's like these artists tapped into my soul and said "what would Nora like to hear tonight? Let's play THAT." Doesn't get much better. 

Vintage Trouble: Bringin' the Soul to DC, one Pelvis thrust at a time - September 18th, 2014 - The Hamilton Live, DC

(written last night - September 18th)

Minutes ago, I returned home from another successful father-daughter evening at the Hamilton with Dan the Man. Usually I wait a few days (weeks, months, what have you) to write my posts because it gives me time to reflect on what talent I've had the opportunity to witness. But whatever - I'm feeling motivated this eve.

Don't get me wrong - Vintage Trouble could bring the FUNK. But this band is full of special talent, with each of the four musicians dedicated to preserving true American soul music, and bringing their audiences a memorable performance with face melting guitar riffs, mind blowing vocals, killer grooves and of course - pelvis pushing.



I had seen Vintage Trouble at Bonnaroo several months ago and wanted to experience them in a smaller club setting. They were a blast at 'Roo but the big atmosphere took a bit away from their energy. It wasn't until I saw them last night that I realized just what energy they had. Dan and I started at MXDC, an upscale Mexican restaurant right around the corner from the Hamilton. They had a BANGIN' happy hour so we hung there and discussed family and work matters, fightin' the man, etc. until we needed to go to the Hamilton to boogie down.

The band looked like extras from Boardwalk Empire meets Almost Famous. To keep their 'vintage' persona alive, they all wear three piece suits to match their three-piece band of a drummer, guitarist and bassist. Then there is the powerful voice of of lead singer Ty that brings it all together. 

VINTAGE TROUBLE

Lead singer Ty looks like a miniature version of James Brown on uppers - in the best way possible. He jumped around stage like Mick Jagger and twirled around like a ballerina. It was exhausting to watch. They started with some tunes to get the crowd going, even a what-would-have-been love song from his father to his mother 'Nancy Lee'. Throughout the show he would describe their sound as being that which you would find in a 1950s barn dance - um...can I attend a barn dance? That sounds phenomenal. The Hamilton Live dance floor will suffice I suppose. They followed up these up-tempo tunes with some acoustic songs off their new EP like "Not Alright By Me" and "Nobody Told Me" (my personal favorite) - followed appropriately by the ever-so-conservative 'Pelvis Pusher'. They finished up the show with the slide-guitar power hour that was 'Run like the River' - one of the best guitar solos I've seen in a long time. At one point I stopped moving all together and I'm fairly sure I was just staring with my mouth open. MAD RESPECT SIR. Ty ran around stage a bit more before jumping off stage and running around The Hamilton Live - a 6'8" bouncer attempting to follow him around and failing miserably. The show closed with the band exiting the stage except for the drummer and a slow solo. It was a perfect ending to a great night of soul music.

I appreciate any band that brings soul music back to its home - 'MERICA. We can all revere the fairly recent new wave British soul invasion - Adele, Amy Winehouse (RIP), Joss Stone, Sam Smith - with their powerful and soulful voices anyone could have swore came out of 1950s motown. Now I'm not saying I don't like the British - I love me some football and blood sausage. BUT soul music is and of America and it needed to come home. In addition, I would argue that these British soul singers are so tied to their heros of Motown that they become very cover-heavy. I love a good cover, but it is refreshing to hear bands like Vintage Trouble, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, and Allen Stone play all original music at their shows (or in Allen Stone's case, new arrangements of songs) and really make them their own, creating new classics for my generation.

Vintage Trouble played not one cover, with a nicely arranged set of party starters, acoustic ballads, call-and-responses, and -- more pelvis pushing.




(Sorry guys, these GIFs are just too good)

STEVIE WONDER ANNOUNCES 'SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE' TOUR!!! - Washington, DC, November 9th, 2014

OMG. OMG. OMG.

Thanks to my girl Andrea, I now am enlightened to know that the legend himself, STEVIE FREAKIN' WONDER, has announced a small fall 2014 tour of 11 cities - including DC on November 9th!

As soon as I found out, I rang up Dan the Man and let him know of this epic news. He then went into a chronicle of his childhood (one of my favorite traits about my old man) about how when he was 13, he was watching the Ed Sullivan show and Stevie Wonder made his first TV appearance playing 'Fingertips'. He explained his jaw dropping to the floor and thinking 'how can this blind kid make such beautiful music and all I can do is throw a baseball?' These memories and moments in time are what music is all about.




You best believe Andrea, myself, Dan the Man and Peter (Andrea's husband) will be attending this event in funky force.

We'll see how the ticket situation works out - I do have presale access, but if Verizon Center is asking me to pay with my first born child as they often do, I'll have to go the Sting/Paul Simon route and use my scalper hustlin' skills.