A studio album from a band that thrives on live performances can cut both ways.  On the one hand, they’re chock-full of tight, compact songs that benefit (for good or bad) from multi-layered studio production values.  (What would the Grateful Dead’s “Terrapin Station” be without its eerie, ...view article

In the liner notes of Mickey Hart’s new album, Mysterium Tremendum, there is a brief explanation of “sonification”, which is described as the mapping of visual symbols, such as light waves, to musical notes.  Mickey Hart’s past endeavors have dealt with rhythms from all around our ...view article

Grammy-award winning singleer/songwriter/guitarist Peter Rowan has been a well-known figure in bluegrass and roots music circles since his early days as lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys, in the mid 1960’s. Rowan’s impressive musical resume also includes stints ...view article

K-dub busts out the funkiness once again with his new album Bass. Classic Keller sounds and style with new attractions to the ears and the dancing shoes. With a long history of albums released with a spectrum of styles and compilations; even releasing a kids album last year and working with the likes ...view article

It is comforting to hear those magical words "Welcome to the Fillmore" as the excitement peaks for the next episode of the San Francisco musical saga.  On this Thursday night Moe. returned to the hallowed hall of rock and roll for the who-knows-how-many time to give fans of the band, fans of rock ...view article

My first exposure to the avant-garde jazz trio Medeski Martin and Wood (conveniently known as MMW) was at the State Palace Theater during a Jazz Fest weekend in 1999 New Orleans.  MMW was still relatively new, but had the distinction of opening for Phish in 1995, which stamped them with the Phish ...view article

Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) returned to Southern California for their biannual two night stand in suburban San Diego’s Solana Beach.  This time it was part of their “City Near You” tour, which puts a slight twist on DSO’s distinctive Grateful Dead simulation act.  Their simple but rather ...view article

The excitement can be seen on every one of the other 49 faces in the Crystal Ballroom's waiting area as the anticipation for the Umphrey's McGee's second StewArt event reaches it's peak. After a few moments, the door opens and pianist Joel Cummins enters the room first, followed closely by the rest ...view article