Leeroy Stagger Live in Edmonton March 24th 2017

On Friday my buddy Buzzard, Cuz and I went to the Leeroy Stagger concert at the St. Basil's Cultural Centre part of the New Moon Folk Club concert series. This was my tenth time seeing Lerroy Stagger in concert. It had been almost two years since I had last seen him play, so I was looking forward to this show. Especially knowing that Leeroy has a new album coming out on April 7th called "Love Versus" on True North Records.

We go to the venue early enough to get a good seat right up front. Leeroy seems to have had a hard time drawing a good crowd here in Edmonton, but on this night he had a great turn out for his show, which was really good to see. When I first heard about this show I was expecting it to be a Leeroy solo show being at the folk club and all, but much to my surprise about a week before the show I read it was going to be with full band, so I was stoked about that. Not sure what a lot of the people in the audience were expecting, but I am sure there were a few people surprised when they walked in to the venue to see all the gear on stage.

Opening the show was Edmonton's Rebecca Lappa. She is a folk musician and has won a Canadian Fold Music Award for her 2015 album Tattered Rose. I had never heard of her before and was there early enough to catch her set, her short set at that, only four songs. She was accompanied by a keyboard player. I thought her first song was good, with Rebecca showing a strong voice. After that I found her other three songs to sound all a lot a like. Four songs was about enough for me.

Rebecca Lappa.

Next up was Leeroy Stagger with his four piece band. In his band this time around was Nick Stecz on drums, Ryland Moranz on guitar, Michael Ayotte on keys and long time bass player Tyson Maiko. An awesome band that was tight, I really liked Michael Ayotte on keys he really added a cool element to the band.

The band came out minus Leeroy, doing a little polka and singing about perogies, and going mmmm mmmm, as before the show there was a Ukrainian buffet that they always serve at the shows at this venue. I found this be surprising and funny. Then of course Leeroy made his entrance and they did the polka one more time. Then it was onto the Leeroy songs.

The third song of the night was a new one from his Love Versus album and the single "I Want It All" which again surprised me as I didn't expect him to do the single so early in the set. Leeroy and band played some older stuff like "Dirty Winshields" and "Maria" from his Radiant Land album. He also did a lot from his last album Dream It All Away "New Music Biz Blues", "Poison The Well", "Happy Too", "Something Beautiful" and "Living In America". Another old one he did that I just remembered was
"Break My Heart" from his Truth Be Sold album.

Leeroy did two sets on this night and during these sets he pretty much did the whole new album. The second set opened with a new song called "Crooked Old World" that he recorded with Joel Plaskett. Other new songs done were "Little Brother" in which he dedicated to his brother who was in a bad accident last year in B.C. He wrote that while being bedside while his brother was in a week long coma. Also played was "Run Rabbit Run", "Joe Strummer and Joey Ramone" as well as "Living In The Future". I think there was only one song from the Love Versus album that he didn't play, but I could be wrong.

This was a great rock n' roll show, I believe Leeroy held back from the Crazy Horse rockin' jamming he tends to break into sometimes, but that could be because of the venue and it being a folk club. I thought some people might leave because of the loud rock n' roll, but I saw very few people leave early. All and all a great gig for Leeroy and all those in attendance. Good times!!!

Leeroy Stagger.

T-shirt

New Album "Love Versus" on True North Records available April 7th.

In concert news...Leeroy Stagger has a couple more Edmonton dates coming up here in the month April. The first being a free show at the CKUA studio on Friday April 7th and then a show on Saturday April 29th at The Almanac. If you are fan of Ryan Adams, Steve Earle and Neil Young do yourself a favour if you are in Edmonton and get out to one of these shows.

Also keep your eyes and ears open for upcoming dates across Western Canada and beyond.

Mike Plume @ The Almanac March 18th 2017

Saturday night my buddy Buzzard, Cuz and I went to see Mike Plume at the Almanac on Whyte Avenue here in Edmonton. This was my 11th time seeing Mike Plume in concert. This was a solo Plume show, so just him and his guitar, an old beat up guitar too. Don't believe I had ever seen him perform using this one before. Anyways, the Almanac is a small intimate venue that probably don't hold more then say sixty people. So the place was full, but not stupid packed like the last time I saw him play this same venue this time last year.

Mike played for two hours with no breaks other then telling a story between songs or taking requests, which means no set list. It also means you never see or hear Mike play the same show twice, one of the many reasons I have seen Mike in concert so many times.

He started the show with the song "Five Crow Silver" and ended the show with a song I requested "Steel Belted Radio", Thanks Mike!!! Other songs played were some of the usual's "830 Newfoundland", "Hey Hey What D'Ya Say", "Red And White Blues" and one of my favorites his Stompin' Tom Connors Tribute song "So Long Stompin' Tom" which has the line "when you see my Mom in the front row, tell her I'm doin' alright" that line always brings a tear to my eye, and it looked to me like Mike may have teared up a bit while singing that line on this night.

Another song he did was from his Table For One album, in which he dedicated to his Mom was " The Best Job I Ever Had". A great song. This was another phenomenal show by Mike Plume. What blows me away is how this man is not a huge music star in this country. Great song writing, great guitar playing and all around awesome performer. Good times!!!

Book Review (Allman Brothers Band)

Just finished reading this incredible book One Way Out The Inside History of The Allman Brothers Band wrote by Alan Paul.

This is a great book about the history of the Allman Brothers Band. The writer Alan Paul has been the senior editor for Guitar World. This book seems like it wrote its self as each surviving member of the band has their say on the story of the band even the roadies who have been a part of the band crew forever get their say. From their start in Florida when Duane Allman was the leader to after his passing when Dicky Betts seemed to take the leadership role. There is no beating around the bush in this book. With members telling their take on the story. From Dicky being a mean drunk and control freak, to Gregg Allman's battle with substance abuse, to the murder charge a roadie got after confronting a club owner after the band not being paid, where he stabbed the man to death. Gregg being called a narc after a drug bust. And all the ups and downs this band has been through over the years.

It really is a fascinating story and read as this band over the past 45 years have had their share of ups and downs between members dying, line up changes, yet still putting out decent music for the most part.

The book I have is an updated version from the original release, but even since then, the drummer Butch Trucks has committed suicide just this year. So the story of this band never stops. Sad sometimes what has gone on with the Allman Brothers Band but like I say a very interesting story.

If you are a fan of the band this is a must read. Even if your not a fan, this is still a great read and may have you looking and listening to the band great history. Well worth reading. The definitive book on the Allman Brothers Band.

R.I.P. James Cotton

Sad to hear the news this afternoon of the passing of blues legend, and most awesome harmonica player James Cotton. He passed at the age of 81 in Austin, Texas of pneumonia. I was lucky that I got to see him open for another blues great Johnny Winter here in Edmonton at Polish Hall on February 25th 2011. After his opening set, James Cotton took the time to meet and greet his fans. I got his CD "Giant" autographed.

Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt Live in Edmonton March 3rd 2017

On Friday night my buddy Buzzard, Char and I went to the Evening with Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt Acoustic concert at the Jubilee Auditorium here in Edmonton. This was my first time seeing both Lyle and John. What really made me want to see this show was John Hiatt, being a big fan of his song writing and playing.

The show was two and half hours long with no intermission, with no big production just the two of them sitting on chairs with a table between them and taking turns playing songs on acoustics. It was two buddies hanging out telling stories and playing songs, my complaint is that there was too much talking between songs with the stories not really being relevant to the songs. At times I just wanted to yell "shut up and play a song". There was one story I liked, it was one that John Hiatt told about hanging backstage at a Bonnie Raitt show with Ramblin' Jack Elliot. John of course being at the show to duet with Bonnie on the song "Thing Called Love", that John wrote. It was a great story and actually built up to the song.

I did recognize a few of Lyle Lovett's songs, more then I was expecting. But it was Hiatt's songs that kept me somewhat enthused. He is a very respected song writer, with many an artist covering his songs. Some of the songs have a bluesy feel and some humour in a few of them and of course a country feel to many of them. All and all I found the show to be a bit on the boring side. Glad I got to see John but think I would enjoy him more with a full band backing him up. Good times!!!

John Hiatt.

Lyle Lovett.

Setlist for Edmonton show.

Edit this setlist | More John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett setlists

Wet Secrets with Napalmpom Live Feb.25th 2017

On Saturday night Cuz and I went to The Buckingham for the Wet Secrets, Napalmpom and Cham show. The main reason I went to this show was to finally see Napalmpom live.

The night started with Edmonton pop punk band Cham, which did absolutely nothing for me. Not my cup of tea and really didn't think they were all that good period.

Next up was Calgary band Napalmpom. This is a band that my brother turned me onto a few years ago when he bought me their first album "The Unconditional Love of Napalmpom" for Xmas. I really liked the album but never got out to see them play live. Well, Saturday night was my chance. My Bro. had told me they were really good live and he sure the hell wasn't kidding.

Napalmpom's show Saturday was an album release concert. Having just released their second album "The Core Competencies Of Napalmpom". The band which consists of P.J. Lavergne on vocals, Shawn Petsche on guitar, Craig Evans on guitar, Ian Baker on bass and Matthew Bayliff on drums fucking kicked ass. A great rock n' roll band which reminds me of Thin Lizzy, AC/DC and The Who all mixed together making for some kick ass rock n' roll. I was very impressed with the sound energy the way the guys fed off of each other, you could tell the guys were having a lot of fun performing to a near sold out crowd, although bass player Ian was feeling under the weather, the rest of the band really brought it. P.J. on vocals is excellent. I can't wait to see these guys again. Canada's AC/DC!

Napalmpom.

Headliner of the evening was Edmonton band Wet Secrets. This was my second time seeing them in concert. The crowd had thinned out a bit after Napalmpom. Didn't stop the Wet Secrets from putting on a good show. The six piece band that dress in matching marching band outfits, this time they were in black outfits, as last time I saw them they were in red.

The band is led by Lyle Bell who also plays in Shout Out Out Out Out, with two ladies that play horns and sing back up vocals and dance and look good all while doing this. There is also another guy on sax, a drummer and keyboard player. I guess you could call the music dance rock with a real heavy bass feel mixed with horns. I find it to be a fun style of music.

Wet Secrets opened the show with the song "Grow Your Own Fucking Mustache Asshole" from their album Rock Fantasy. They have some great song titles, another one they did was "I Teabagged Myself" as well as "Get Your Shit Together" and "What's The Fucking Point" from their Free Candy album. They are a fun entertaining band to see. Check them out if you don't mind quirky weird dance slash bass heavy rock. Good times!!!

The Wet Secrets.

The new Napamlpom album The Core Competencies of Napalmpom.

A cool patch that guitar player Shawn Petsche gave me.

T-shirt.