Goodbye to Doc Watson

Sadly, seven time Grammy winner Doc Watson died today. Doc was a bluegrass legend and helped bring bluegrass out of the rhododenren of western North Carolina and into the national spotlight. Doc thrived despite growing up dirt poor and blind from an eye infection at age 1. Doc is one of my favorite bluegrass artists not only because of his guitar chops, but also because of his classic, clear bluegrass voice..

Full bio here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Watson

If you don't know Doc, check out a couple of these videos:

The Weeknd

Remember when we posted about The Dream? Well, here's some R&B that's cut from the same cloth. A little slower, a little nastier, The Weeknd is baby making music gone slightly indie. There are some killer jams to be had on his first proper album, House of Balloons, and his EP/mixtape releases are solid as well. Check out Echoes of Silence, which you can download for free on his website. Dude's created a nice little internet persona for himself as well. Do yourself a favor: pour a glass of wine for you and that special someone, light a fire, and spark a bowl. As the song says...





Happy Weeknd

Stew

Jack White Solo Album April 24

Booyah. Here's a taste:

Best Shows of 2011

I brought back my annual New Year's poll asking my friends to name their favorite concert of the year. It was another solid year in the music world. Here are a few selected results.

Let's start with the weather-related choices:

Amy Jordan and Luke Muellerleile - U2 in Minneapolis in a torrential downpour, worthy of two videos because this was one hell of a storm:




Fellow bloggers Nate Gagnon and Ben Siebers - Snoop Dogg in Madison:


During the Blizzaster:


Our top vote getter: Danny Linihan, Nic Tyson, Brett Keller - The Black Keys:


And Gold on the Ceiling from Letterman, because it's my favorite song right now:


Trevor Gray - Tinariwen


Jake Howard and Clayton Scherrer - The Strokes


Have a great 2012 and go see live music!

Stew