Wry Moon
When I am asked to name some of my favorite performers from The Moonlight, I often start the list with Phil Lee, the Jokerman who pops the top of this week’s post. Over the years, he’s grown into a near caricature of himself, and I tells ya that with the utmost respect and appreciation—- his pegged jeans are tighter, his boots more pointy, his hat even bigger, and that beard on my Gawd… right out of an antique book of German fairy tales. The Mighty King of Love, indeed.
Just back from a tail-twister of a tour in England, he’s prolly holed up in his basement tonight, refreshing his considerable skills in the ancient sport of knife-throwing… his biggest challenge, I reckon, is keeping up with his own manic self, and I don’t know how anybody anywhere could quite do that. Please click his weblink below and have a peek at Phil’s particular flavor of lunacy, if you haven’t yet— your world (like mine) will be all the lighter for it.
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February 23, 2011
Friends of the Moonlight--
While we're dancing merrily in these early daffodils, the gruff little voice in our head mutters that we should brace ourselves for the nasty March uppercut, when Winter 2011 reappears--- the searing icy sword that will surely sweep us back to the Dark Underworld for a few more brutal weeks. Until that happens, we're determined to keep prancing around the Maypole, happy for the blue skies and the bird chatter that makes us forget it's still February--- looks like great weather for this weekend's Moonlight events! ----->
Thursday the 24th-- PHIL LEE, with BILL JACKSON and PETE FIDLER, $12
We told you how much fun PHIL LEE was gonna be when he played here last August--- we underestimated his charm by half, at least. A scraggly little handful of blue-collar bravado, often sporting an outsized sombrero and sunglasses, Phil spills out song after brilliant song in detail of trailer park culture--- his voice a reedy twin to Dylan's, his storylines etching the best and worst of people living five days ahead of flat broke. Murder, luck, lust, and pathos--- all the same, part of the game--- he's the most clever lyricist to ever come out of Nashville... Phil gives his characters a spank on the fanny and trots 'em all out with a sly grin.
www.philleeone.com
Phil Lee, February 24 2011, 3 present
Tom Mason, buccaneer sideman to Phil Lee
Australian native BILL JACKSON knocked off his time in Nashville many years ago, before moving on to Texas, London, and then back to his home turf of Melbourne, where he serves as that country's version of Lyle Lovett--- his spare country-fringe roots-rumbles show traces of each continent he's lived and played. Our third man onstage tonight is Pete Fidler, Bill's longtime recruit in the storied Acoustic Orchestra, who will blur the lines between dobro, lap steel, mandolin, and guitar.
www.myspace.com/billjacksonmusic
Bill Jackson, February 24 2011
Friday the 25th-- A PRIVATE EVENT--- wouldn't you like to reserve The Moonlight for yours?
Saturday the 26th--- THE JASON BAILEY BAND, with opener Emily Lynch, $12
JB's mandolin and string band arrangements mimic the rhythms of springtime-- the flutter of dragonflies, a chorus of birdsong, the dips and circles of a kite in the wind. The home base for this music is bluegrass, but Jason's cross-genre sensibilities tug it pretty quickly into the territories of jazz, Irish, even a smidge classical. Tonight, he's pleased to have the golden services of his friend Andy Leftwich--- of Ricky Skaggs' Kentucky Thunder Band-- on fiddle, along with Peyton Grant on piano, and Aaron Branson on bass. Bailey's one of our town's most notable virtuosos-- a set with him and his hand-picked buds is always classy, and full of surprises.
www.baileyjason.com
The Jason Bailey Band, February 26 2011, 89 present
Andy Leftwich guest fiddle
Opening the evening will be Atlanta's Emily Lynch, a prolific young songwriter and singer in the mold of Alison Krauss and Patty Griffin. Backed by two other girls on dobro and guitar/mando, Emily will have plenty of tunes to pick from--- she's written over a hundred in production of her just-released debut album.
www.myspace.com/emilylynchmusic
Emily Lynch, February 26 2011
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LOOK AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S EVENTS-->
Thursday 3rd-- SIMONE DURAND TRIO, CHICKEN LITTLE, BIDE MY TIME, Nashville punk-folk, hosted by two B'ham acoustic bands
Friday 4th-- RUPERT WATES, DAVID SEALE, Londoner gone guitar-Americana joining local roots-pop writer and radio showhost
Saturday 5th-- PETER BRADLEY ADAMS, Kate Klim opens-- better half of Eastmountainsouth, introducing a new-Nashville pixie charmer
Sunday 6th-- RICHARD SHINDELL, true giant of contemporary folk, first time in B'ham for this premier trend-setting songwriter--- don't miss!
Monday 7th-- BRUCE MOLSKY, "The Rembrandt of Appalachian fiddle"--- so says Darol Anger
Tuesday 8th-- OPEN MIC NIGHT, moved off its normal spot of first Monday, but hey--- they get better and better each time!
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