Go See Hear In L.A.: Dec. 6-12

It’s been a busy week, which is why I am only getting to this now.

Hopefully it’s not too late to get either the rugged Texas country rock band Reckless Kelly at the Mint or folk chanteuse Edie Carey and Americana-rooted Sarah Sample at Genghis Cohen on Tuesday. Both women have new albums to celebrate, Bring The Sea and Someday, Someday (respectively). I was familiar with Carey from her earlier work but Sample was a pleasant surprise

The one and only Jonathan Richman starts his two night stand at the Troubadour on 12/7; Gail Davies is his opener.

Wednesday finds up and coming local rocker Delta Spirit at the Music Box while the Silverlake Lounge hosts Western States Motel (shouldn’t they be at the Hotel Café?). Jokes aside, they have a jaunty, engaging indie rock sound that is worth exploring.

The Bad Plus sets a spell at the Mint 12/9-11, with them doing an acoustic show on the 11th.

The Bird and the Bee lands at the Mondrian on the 10th. That same night, You Tube starlet Kina Grannis plays the El Rey.

The show of the week probably is at McCabe’s on the 10th, where NEeMA shares the bill with Anais Mitchell (presenting her Hadestown show). I am not familiar with Mitchell, but my No Depression colleague Kim Ruehl raves about her which is an good endorsement for me. NEeMa is a cool singer-songwriter whose CD Watching You Think comes out in Feb (and hopefully I can write it about more but it holds several really memorable tunes). A guy named Leonard Cohen co-produced her disc, by the way.

The Black Crowes farewell tour comes to the Palladium on Saturday. Say what you will about them, but the band has done some good things with and for roots rock. Opening for them is a fine L.A. country rock group, The Truth & Salvage Company.

Saturday night also is the night at Dan Hicks has a Christmas Show at McCabe’s (he has a new Christmas CD just out). I remember as kid liking Hicks’ “How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away.” He too has a place in Americana history.

Go See Hear in L.A.: Sept.27-Oct. 3

With this early autumn heatwave in L.A. it’s hard to think about doing much beyond sitting in front of your fan. But there is a wave of hot shows this week (sorry for the easy pun) that go beyond the big Pavement/Sonic Youth Hollywood Bowl concert (Sept, 30) and Tom Petty local appearances at the Bowl and the Verizon Amphitheatre (Oct. 1 and 2, respectively).
There’s something exciting every night

Monday: the sensational soul songtress Bettye LaVette starts her two-night stand at Largo. Pete Yorn showcases his new album at Roxy.

Tuesday: Outlaw country star Jamey Johnson will play his “Guitar Songs” at the House of Blues. Sara Barellies has a show downtown at the Orpheum Theatre. But the 5-star event is the Jerry Lee Lewis appearance at the Grammy Museum.

Wednesday: The Drums will make some New Wave-y noise at the Music Box. The Felice Brothers delivers their rugged Americana rock at the Echo. Folk-popster Sarah Harmer has new disc Oh Little Fire that will be the probable focus for her Spaceland gig.

Thurday: The legendary John Cale commences this year’s UCLA Live concert series. Unfortunately, the Autry show headlining Justin Townes Earle has been cancelled since he has postponed his tour plans.

Friday: Ludo will rock up the Key Club with “Whipped Cream.” The School of Seven Bells will chill out the Echoplex. The Fountains of Wayne team up Jill Sobule for a night of catchy pop at the Troubadour while the Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals make for a rootsy triple bill at Nokia LA Live. Aimee Mann, who is reportedly penning a musical based on her The Forgotten Arm album, returns to Largo. As part of the OohLaLA Fest of French rockers at Spaceland, Bewitched Hands (who like a more dream-poppy Arcade Fire) will play. Check out the band’s fine tune “Work”. The Miniature Tigers swings through L.A. again with a show at the Henry Fonda Theatre with Neon Indian and Perfuse 73.

Saturday: Matt And Kim have a weekend stand at the Henry Fonda Theatre. The Truth & Salvage Co. set up shop at the Troubadour. My top choice, however, is Hayes Carll at McCabes. He is one of the best young songwriters around, IMHO.

Sunday: The week winds down with one big show. The Hollywood Palladium, welcomes the reunited Belle & Sebastian, with the talented duo Jenny And Johnny opening. J & J also have a show at the Troubadour on 10/6.

Go See Hear: March 8-14

A couple of gigs have grabbed my attention for this week, with three falling all on the same night – isn’t that the way it is.

March 10 – Great American Taxi pulls into the Mint. The band, headed by ex-Leftover Salmon singer/guitarist/mandolinist Vince Herman, delivers a funky, jam mix of rootsy rock ‘n’ roll and their new album Reckless Habits makes for a fun, lively ride.

March 12 – The Truth & Salvage Co. ends its residency at the Hotel Café. The local LA band creates a sound that’s wonderfully rich with the Southern California country rock vibe. The group, gearing up for a May release of their Chris Robinson-produced debut disc, boast four singers, which creates some truly fine harmonizing.

The Dutchess and the Duke are on the bill at the Echo on the 12. The Seattle-based band – basically the duo Jesse Lortz and Kimberly Morrison – have a beautifully beguiling sound that blends rustic Americana with stripped down garage rock that can recall plugged-in early Dylan or an acoustic Velvet Underground.

Zac Brown Band, which has a show at the Gibson Amphitheatre on the 12th, was something of a 2009 phenomena. Coming out of nowhere, they delivered a good-timin’ country-fringed rock album that wound up being a platinum seller and earning them a Grammy nomination for best new band. Opening for them is another impressive act that favors country a little more than rock, the duo Joey & Rory.