Thursday, June 26, 2008
Top tickets: Some of the week's best live music
Bushels of bluegrass
Courtesy photos
Takeharu Kunimoto and The Last Frontier
IO Jukebox
The Last Frontier, featuring Takeharu Kunimoto
Madrone
Madrone
Laura Reed and Deep Pocket (Debrissa McKinney standing at right)
Laura Reed and Deep Pocket
FRIDAY
Takeharu Kunimoto and The Last Frontier
Here's a testament to the power of Bill Monroe and proof that a hard-core Appalachian style of music can cross cultures but also receive new influences.
The father of bluegrass toured in Japan. At one of his shows, a young man named Takeharu Kunimoto heard him and was inspired to take up mandolin.
Later, Kunimoto took up shamisen, a three-stringed instrument native to Japan. But he kept Monroe's influence and eventually landed at East Tennessee State University, where he spent a year with the school's bluegrass music program. He started recording and touring with some of the ETSU bluegrass cats, forming a band called The Last Frontier. It incorporates another Japanese tradition -- rokyoku, a storytelling style.
It's just as rollicking and stomp-inducing as bluegrass, but with a cool Asian twist.
Details: 8 p.m. Friday. Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave., Roanoke. $12; $6 for students. jeffcenter.org, myspace.com/japanesebanjo.
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
Song of the Mountains Festival
With Goose Creek Symphony, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Jesse McReynolds & the Virginia Boys, Larry Stephenson, No Speed Limit, Fescue and more
Roanoke County native Tim White has done a lot for bluegrass and country music over the past dozen or so years. Have you seen the "Birthplace of Country Music" mural in downtown Bristol, Tenn.? White painted that. He's also been a driving force behind public television's "Song of the Mountains," which he hosts from Marion's Lincoln Theatre. Next up for White and company is this festival, with its cadre of hot bluegrass and roots acts.
Details: 1 to 10:30 p.m. today through Saturday. Davis Valley Winery, Rural Retreat. Gate fees vary by day and range from $15 to $25; $40 for a three-day pass in advance; children under 12 free. (276) 686-8855, songofthemountains.org.
Bluegrass at Sedalia
With the Bluegrass Brothers, Carolina Sonshine, Against the Grain, Deer Creek Boys and more
There's just not enough bluegrass happening around here this week!
Details: 6 tonight; 5 p.m. Friday; and 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Sedalia Center, 1108 Sedalia School Road, Big Island. $35 three-day pass; $10 tonight and Friday; $20 Saturday. (434) 299-5080, sedaliacenter.org.
THURSDAY
Madrone CD release party
With Bob, Thoughtform
These Roanoke-based rockers celebrate the release of their new record, "In Time." Profits go to VH1's Save the Music foundation, Madrone leader J.D. Sutphin said.
Details: 7 tonight. Greystone Tavern, 1106 Kessler Mill Road, Salem. $7. All ages. 375-2128, myspace.com/madrone, bobband.com, myspace.com/thoughtformmusic.
Free! Triscale
A while back on our cut 'n' scratch blog's question of the week, we asked people to tell us their favorite local act. At least 10 people mentioned Triscale. At least two of those people are in Triscale, but we'll forgive them. The band sounds good on MP3, and we hear they sound good live, too.
Details: 9 tonight. Awful Arthur's, 108 Campbell Ave., downtown Roanoke. Free. 344-2997, myspace.com/awfularthursdowntown, triscaleband.com.
FRIDAY
Hubert Sumlin & The Nighthawks
To understand Chicago blues and the music that followed from such acts as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones, this music is essential. At 76, Sumlin is still on the road, and the backing band for this tour is a longtime favorite of Roanoke bluesheads. Read more about Sumlin on roanoke.com.
Details: 9 p.m. Friday. 202 Market, 202 Market Square, downtown Roanoke. $18. 343-6644, 202market.net, hubertsumlinblues.com, thenighthawks.com.
Free! The Greg Ward Project
Ward, onetime sideman for such artists as the Abyssinians, the Itals and Foundation Stone, brings his Harrisonburg-based reggae band to Martin's.
Details: 10 p.m. Friday. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, 413 First St., Roanoke. Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com, myspace.com/gwpreggae.
Laura Reed and Deep Pocket
Reed is a wonderful singer with a good backup band that includes Botetourt County's own Debrissa McKinney on saxophone and harmony vocals. Brass will open with a set of what she calls "hippie-hop," and says this night will be "one of the most chickalicious shows of the year."
Details: 8 p.m. Friday. The Sun Music Hall, 302 S. Locust St., Floyd. $10 in advance; $12 at the show. (540) 745-7880, thesunmusichall.com, laurareedanddeeppocket.com.
Free! Casey and the Moonshine Band
With Jordan Rivers and the Rotgut Revival
A night of country and rockabilly music. You reckon there'll be drinking involved?
Details: 9 p.m. Friday. Coffee Pot, 2902 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke. Free. 774-8256, myspace.com/caseythemoonshineband, myspace.com/maltabilly.
SATURDAY
Bill Frisell Trio
When it comes to jazz-based music, Frisell is grounded, but he's also way outside the box. Hear the guy who has influenced such wildly divergent players as John Scofield and Vernon Reid.
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday. Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave., Roanoke. $26; $22; $16; half-price for students. 345-2550, jeffcenter.org, billfrisell.com.
Free! The Wright Kids
Three members of this youthful band -- Sage, Baruch and Levi -- are scheduled to appear soon on "America's Got Talent," according to the band's Web site.
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday. Pop's Ice Cream & Soda Bar, 1916 Memorial Ave., Roanoke. Free. 345-2129, thewrightkids.com.
Free! Scott Holt Band
For 10 years, Holt apprenticed as a sideman for blues living legend Buddy Guy. These days, Holt is slinging a six-string mess of his own. His blues rocks pretty freaking hard.
Details: 9 p.m. Saturday. Blue 5 Restaurant, 312 Second St., downtown Roanoke. Free. 904-5338, blue5restaurant.com, scottholt.com.
Free! The Royal Greens
This Fincastle act has a basic, stripped-down rock 'n' roll with some Pearl Jam influence.
Details: 9 p.m. Saturday. Coffee Pot, 2902 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke. Free. 774-8256, myspace.com/theroyalgreens.
Shayar and Krooshal Force
Tight, sharp reggae from Shayar, who once was rhythm guitarist for Burning Spear.
Details: 10 p.m. Saturday. Awful Arthur's, 213 Draper Road, Blacksburg. $3. 443-9109, myspace.com/awfularthur39sblacksburg.
