We’re going to take it down a notch this week…
Last week was a time to focus on the eccentric bands – the impeccable perfectionist swank of Steely Dan, the weirdo jazz of Dweezil, and the category-less TV on the Radio.
Don’t know about you, but I could go for something kinda simple, something classic, timeless…
Marilyn Maye at Jardine’s in KC (All week)
After being forced to cancel a string of performances at Jardine’s a few months ago due to health concerns, some thought that Marilyn’s performing days might be behind her. Not so fast. The legendary crooner is back, playing a full week of shows and sounding just as strong and expressive as ever.
Maye rose to fame decades ago for her copious appearances on The Tonight Show, and she still holds the record for most appearances as a singer on that institution. Recently Maye has been honored as one of the Best Performers of the 20th Century by the Smithsonian Arts Council, as well as receiving numerous jazz awards. Perhaps most memorable, though, was Ella Fitzgerald’s proclamation that Marilyn Maye is “the greatest white female singer in the world.”
Marilyn takes the stage this week at 7:30 each night but Saturday, which features a 6:00 and an 8:30 show. Reservations are required for all her performances, most of which will sell out, so it’d be a good idea to get your tickets as early as you can.
Wednesday, August 31st
Hospital Ships and Appleseed Cast at the Replay in Lawrence
Lawrence’s Hospital Ships has been steadily gaining momentum mostly on the strength of being featured on NPR a few months ago. Since then, scenesters have taken notice and the band has received some well-deserved national love for their indie ballad rock and contemplative lyrics.
Included in that "national love" was a horrific review penned by someone way more hip than me, you, or even Hearne – a writer at Vice Magazine (!) named Xavier McDaniel. He gave Hospital Ship’s Lonely Twin the honor of Worst Album of the Month, and wrote something about black people and white people not understanding each other, then compared the record to Big Momma’s House.
I don’t really know what that means, but I don’t think he listened to the album because it’s actually pretty kickass. And Hospital Ships is a good live band as well.
And, oh yeah, all the college girls are back in town.
Sunday, September 4th
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings at Liberty Hall in Lawrence
Gillian Welch is probably best known for her work on the Grammy winning soundtrack for O Brother, Where Art Thou? which she co-produced and performed on as well. Longtime collaborators, Rawlings and Welch’s musical style is an eclectic blend of folk that encompasses bluegrass, Appalachian, Americana, and other “rural” styles.
Their latest album – their first in about eight years – is entitled The Harrow & The Harvest, and it has received generally positive reviews. Paste writer Douglas Heselgrave gives the album an impressive 9.0 rating and writes, “Listening to these songs, one can hear that the eight years taken between releases has caused Gillian Welch to ruminate and pour all of her weighing up and accounting of life’s sad twists and turns into one of her best albums. The Harrow & The Harvest is simply one of the richest, most expansive roots albums to be released in some time.”
Tedeschi-Trucks Band?
The Welch-Rawlings show should be outstanding, but a no less impressive collaboration is this husband-wife duo playing Crossroads tomorrow night. Trucks playing (especially his slide work) will mesmorize and Tedeschi will recall an in her prime Bonnie Raitt. All backed by a horn section and great backup players/singers under a warm and hopefully not to sticky star lit night. Trucks won’t impress with flash, just precision playing with alot of feeling. Do yourself a favor and check this one out.