Music Stories
Never-ending: Funk jams to disco and backSouthside Funk Brothers at West Main July 24 I made my second attempt to check out the band Southside Funk Brothers at West Main Saturday, July 24, and I'm happy to say things went a lot better this...read more Jul 29th, 2004
Work it! Drummers, dancers evoke AfricaAfrican Showboysat ShebeenSaturday, July 17 Shebeen has been hosting music for a while, but for some reason I've avoided it as a venue. But when I got wind that the African Showboys were in town, it...read more Jul 22nd, 2004
Bluesy jazz: Frigid art with heartThe Dinah Pearson Band at West MainJuly 17 Friday was my second evening watching shows at West Main, and I haven't quite figured the place out yet. They have been promoting shows for live music on...read more Jul 22nd, 2004
One of the 'Boys': Mystery deepens on the CornerThe Slate Hill Boysat JaberwokeJuly 9 The Slate Hill Boys, mysterious beyond all other Charlottesville groups I've heard, were a chance discovery as I walked down the Corner Friday night. In search...read more Jul 15th, 2004
Oogling: Skimpy threads, hot doingsSumthingat West MainThursday, July 8 Lounge Sessions (DJ Ellipsis, Kenny M)at StationFriday, July 9 Far be it from me to make vulgar/chauvinistic comments, but one must admit the summer in...read more Jul 15th, 2004
River grass: Rhythms rock the JamesThe Dixie Power Trio and the Rogan Brothers at Dorrier Park, ScottsvilleJuly 3 For the past five years, Scottsville (population: 555), has thrown free concerts in Dorrier Park, and I've missed every...read more Jul 8th, 2004
Transfixed: Old stand-bys set standardThompson/D'earthat Miller's Thursday, July 1 Driving around Charlottesville, it's hard to miss how quickly the city is growing: apartments on Main Street, developments out Avon Street, Route 20...read more Jul 8th, 2004
Andy's problem: Too good for his own goodAndy Waldeck:Offering Last issue, the guy who writes the column to the right of mine and I scrambled to bring you a accurate and relevant cross-section of the Charlottesville music scene. Judging by...read more Jul 1st, 2004
Curreri the Younger: Playing His Own WayHow to Play the Songs of Matt Curreri Matt Curreri(City Salvage Records ) Matt Curreri, brother of local country-blues mastermind Paul, is standing in a long shadow. A fabulous songwriter and...read more Jul 1st, 2004
June 21: Music for the shortest nightLhasaThe Living Road The sun had long gone down before anyone told me what the day was. "Somewhere there are pagans dancing, singing, and celebrating," she said, prefacing her momentary revelation...read more Jun 24th, 2004
What luck!: Tempted by the fruit of anotherJason and his Vacationsat JaberwokeSaturday, June 19 I ventured to the Corner's Jaberwoke watering hole in search of a review of Travis Elliott's group– word on the street (namely my friend...read more Jun 24th, 2004
Vega-esque: Something in the way she grooves...Finally Wokenby Jem(ATO) Though singer/songwriter Jem's tie to this town is rather tenuous– she is signed to ATO Records, the label started by Dave Matthews, the omnipotent Coran Capshaw,...read more Jun 17th, 2004
Schizo prowl: From corn to coolOkayplayer's True Notes Vol. 1  (a compilation); Masta Killa's No Said Date; Vast Aire's Look Mom No Hands; Righteous at Garden of Sheba; DJ Dingus at West Main This weekend couldn't have been...read more Jun 17th, 2004
Studied sound: Paying attention pays offInner Space at Coupe DeVille'sSaturday, June 5 Every summer, after the students and other college hangers-on fall off the face of the earth, I make my yearly pilgrimage to Coupe DeVille's on the...read more Jun 10th, 2004
Feminine mystique: Gravity missing at GravityKathy Compton, Ezra Hamilton & Alexandra Scott at Gravity LoungeSaturday, May 29 I had only the faintest glimmering of what to expect when I descended into the Gravity Lounge for Kathy Compton's...read more Jun 3rd, 2004
Life lessons: Being schooled by the BumsFairweather Bums at Shebeen May 22 I haven't been in school for a while, but I'm still learning things. Just last Saturday night at Shebeen, I was lucky enough to take away three valuable pieces of...read more May 27th, 2004
Trading up: Things keep getting betterEzra Hamilton and Friends at Atomic BurritoFriday, May 21 "People just don't understand it here," he said brushing the hair on his face with the palm of his hand. "I'm from California, San Francisco...read more May 27th, 2004
Blues cure: Get rhythm... and the LordHowie Campbell at the Grounds CaféMay 15 I received an email announcement about singer/songwriter Howie Campbell's show at the Grounds Café in Seminole Square on Thursday or Friday, and it had all...read more May 20th, 2004
Magic number: For band and Lakers, it's 4Southside Funk Brothersat OrbitSaturday, May 15 The Los Angeles Lakers fell behind the San Antonio Spurs early on in the best out of seven conference finals series. San Antonio dominated the first...read more May 20th, 2004
It is a girl! But what's her purpose?Published May 13, 2004, in issue 0319 of the Hook Fountainheadat Miller'sMay 8 BY MARK GRABOWSKI MARK@READTHEHOOK.COM Last Saturday night found me pulling my worn out frame to Miller's, for though...read more May 13th, 2004