Celebrate march music column 2009
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48 Celebrating the Entrepreneurial Spirit of Arkansas MARCH 2009 Listen to the MUSIC T he month of February was highlighted with amazing shows by Yonder Mountain String Band and Citizen Cope, both of whom played at George’s Majestic Lounge, Northwest Arkansas’ live music capital. Yonder delighted a full house with old and new tracks alike throughout the two full sets and encore, but the Colorado-based bluegrass band of four thrilled its fans in the second set with the likes of “Train Bound for Gloryland,” a rousing, upbeat cover of Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds,” and two hits from its most recently released self- titled album, “Sidewalk Stars” and “Ain’t Been Myself In Years.” Citizen Cope — whose show had sold out weeks in advance — kept the crowd hopping with a more danceable repertoire than this writer ever imagined, not having ever heard the band perform before. While Citizen Cope’s most recent CD is certainly worth buying, it’s nothing compared to see- ing the group live. If you get an opportunity, you should definitely check them out. In March, Northwest Arkansas — as well as the rest of the state — again has a lot to look forward to musically. The month gets kicked off with Texas songwriter Hayes Carl at George’s on March 4, and a two-night stop at George’s on March 6 and 7 by regional favorite Big Smith, who specializes in “hillbilly rock” and rebellious, hilarious and tradition-tinged bluegrass anthems — originals and a few covers — such as “Twelve-Inch, Three-Speed Oscillating Fan,” “Burn Down the House (and Leave By the Light of the Fire),” and “Crawdad Hole.” Next up, singer/songwriter Martin Sexton makes two Arkansas stops: at Sticky Fingerz in Little Rock on March 12 (tickets $20) and at Fayetteville’s UARK Ballroom on March 13 (tickets $23). Expect standing room only, and you better get your ticket soon if you want to see this experienced musical genius that once was named the National Academy of Songwriter’s Artist of the Year. The online encyclopedia of live music, Jambase.com, writes that “Sexton’s records distill soul, gospel, R&B, country and blues… in short, the American musical landscape into archetypal rock n roll. ... To see the crowd at a Martin Sexton concert is to witness a cross-section of America. Listeners claim Sexton’s songs inspire them to change, quit their job, go cross-country, follow their dreams, or whatever.” The New York Times writes that Sexton “jumps beyond standard fare on the strength of his voice, a blue-eyed soul man’s supple instrument,” and his “unpretentious heartiness helps him focus on every soul singer’s goal: to amplify the sound of the ordinary heart.” Also on March 13, the grandson of blues legend R.L. Burnside (“the Reverend of the blues”), Cedric Burnside and his blues bandmate Lightnin’ Malcolm give a good excuse to spend the day at Oaklawn when they perform that night at Maxine’s on Central Avenue. A few days later, on March 17, Maxine’s plays host to the Grammy-winning Brave Combo, and at the end of the month, on March 27 and 28, hosts talented Grateful Dead tribute band The Schwag — a rousing good time and worth the drive from Little Rock or beyond. On March 27 in Little Rock, Austin pop-country star Pat Green stops at the Revolution Music Room (a.k.a. the “Rev Room”) on President Clinton Avenue. His top hits have gotten some radio play over the last year or two, and the corresponding videos have seen success on cable’s CMT. Expect a sold-out crowd and a heartfelt show that’ll keep your toes tapping. This guy sings and plays so hard, you think he’s going to wear himself out before the show’s over. Definitely a must-see. ••• Saturday, March 21: A duo of hip-hop stars that made their first big splash several years back, Eight-Ball and MJG, will undoubtedly rock a full house at the Rev Room in Little Rock. Sunday, March 22: Popular reggae artist (and favorite local son) Joseph Israel plays at George’s in Fayetteville. Sunday, March 30: The aforementioned Yonder Mountain String Band kicks off its spring tour at Little Rock’s Rev Room. Other shows to check out this month: story and photo by Kristal Kuykendall Great music marches into state Yonder Mountain String Band
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Transcript of Celebrate march music column 2009
48 Celebrating the Entrepreneurial Spirit of Arkansas MARCH 2009
Listen to the MUSIC
The month of February was highlighted with amazing shows by Yonder Mountain String Band and Citizen Cope, both of whom played at George’s Majestic Lounge, Northwest Arkansas’ live
music capital. Yonder delighted a full house with old and new tracks alike throughout the two full sets and encore, but the Colorado-based bluegrass band of four thrilled its fans in the second set with the likes of “Train Bound for Gloryland,” a rousing, upbeat cover of Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds,” and two hits from its most recently released self-titled album, “Sidewalk Stars” and “Ain’t Been Myself In Years.” Citizen Cope — whose show had sold out weeks in advance — kept the crowd hopping with a more danceable repertoire than this writer ever imagined, not having ever heard the band perform before. While Citizen Cope’s most recent CD is certainly worth buying, it’s nothing compared to see-ing the group live. If you get an opportunity, you should definitely check them out.
In March, Northwest Arkansas — as well as the rest of the state — again has a lot to look forward to musically. The month gets kicked off with Texas songwriter Hayes Carl at George’s on March 4, and a two-night stop at George’s on March 6 and 7 by regional favorite Big Smith, who specializes in “hillbilly rock” and rebellious, hilarious and tradition-tinged bluegrass anthems — originals and a few covers — such as “Twelve-Inch, Three-Speed Oscillating Fan,” “Burn Down the House (and Leave By the Light of the Fire),” and “Crawdad Hole.”
Next up, singer/songwriter Martin Sexton makes two Arkansas stops: at Sticky Fingerz in Little Rock on March 12 (tickets $20) and at Fayetteville’s UARK Ballroom on March 13 (tickets $23). Expect standing room only, and you better get your ticket soon if you want to see this experienced musical genius that once was named the National Academy of Songwriter’s Artist of the Year. The online encyclopedia of live music, Jambase.com, writes that “Sexton’s records distill soul, gospel, R&B, country and blues… in short, the American musical landscape into archetypal rock n roll. ... To see the crowd at a Martin Sexton concert is
to witness a cross-section of America. Listeners claim Sexton’s songs inspire them to change, quit their job, go cross-country, follow their dreams, or whatever.” The New York Times writes that Sexton “jumps beyond standard fare on the strength of his voice, a blue-eyed soul man’s supple instrument,” and his “unpretentious heartiness helps him focus on every soul singer’s goal: to amplify the sound of the ordinary heart.”
Also on March 13, the grandson of blues legend R.L. Burnside (“the Reverend of the blues”), Cedric Burnside and his blues bandmate Lightnin’ Malcolm give a good excuse to spend the day at Oaklawn when they perform that night at Maxine’s on Central Avenue. A few days later, on March 17, Maxine’s plays host to the Grammy-winning Brave Combo, and at the end of the month, on March 27 and 28, hosts talented Grateful Dead tribute band The Schwag — a rousing good time and worth the drive from Little Rock or beyond.
On March 27 in Little Rock, Austin pop-country star Pat Green stops at the Revolution Music Room (a.k.a. the “Rev Room”) on President Clinton Avenue. His top hits have gotten some radio play over the last year or two, and the corresponding videos have seen success on cable’s CMT. Expect a sold-out crowd and a heartfelt show that’ll keep your toes tapping. This guy sings and plays so hard, you think he’s going to wear himself out before the show’s over. Definitely a must-see. •••
Saturday, March 21: A duo of hip-hop stars that made their first big splash several years back, Eight-Ball and MJG, will undoubtedly rock a full house at the Rev Room in Little Rock. Sunday, March 22: Popular reggae artist (and favorite local son) Joseph Israel plays at George’s in Fayetteville. Sunday, March 30: The aforementioned Yonder Mountain String Band kicks off its spring tour at Little Rock’s Rev Room.
Other shows to check out this month:
story and photo by Kristal Kuykendall
Great music marches into state
Yonder Mountain String Band
