Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
Sept 4, 2008 issue
Brewer’s Briefs
Story by David Brewer
I’m always looking for that next greatest album—that set of indispensable songs that, by some unplanned cosmic coincidence, makes the world that much more tolerable for a couple of weeks or months. I’m not talking about that really good disc your buddy burned you that sounds good with the windows down driving down the Parkway; I’m talking about that disc that for some inexplicable reason has got a hold on your soul night and day for weeks.
These rare gems of audio bliss usually arrive at unpredictable intervals, showing up just when you least expect it only to leave you wondering how you ever managed to drag yourself out of bed before this incredible music existed.
A few years ago, I was newly single (dumped) and the soul-baring heartache of Ray LaMontagne’s debut disc Trouble made hurting almost feel good (perhaps a slightly masochistic notion). For months, I typically didn’t go more than a day or two without cranking the disc from the mysterious Maine factory worker. His gut-wrenching acoustic soul and stories of loss, heartache and redemption were perfect sketches of pain wrapped in raspy-voiced splendor.
While LaMontagne’s particular sound was far from musically groundbreaking, it was honest. And it was just what I wanted and needed to hear.
Four years, a mended relationship and a few “greatest albums” later, Trouble still sounds marvelous, but it is no longer ensconced in my catalogue’s top spot.
Perhaps a strong dose of political verse and chorus to get me through the election cycle will rise to the top. Or, maybe a solid slice of old school funk will be the songs I simply can’t live without. Perhaps my life will change suddenly and radically and that perfect set of songs will seemingly drop out of the sky to take hold of me for months to come.
Of course, LaMontagne’s new disc Gossip In The Grain comes out October 14…
This Week…
-After several brushes with stardom throughout the 1990s as a member of New York City’s anti-folk movement, Paleface is beginning to get his due through a stripped-down songwriter approach and relentless touring. The duo, along with indie boys Bombadil, will be at Black Cat Burrito this Friday, September 5.
-This Friday, September 5, Reid’s Café (formerly The Old Jailhouse, Moon Shine Café) will get into the live music act in conjunction with the monthly Downtown Boone Art Crawl as it hosts a performance by Melissa Reaves. Weather permitting, the powerful singer-songwriter and guitarist will play outside on the lawn beginning at 6:00 p.m.
-Daniel Boone Days is finally here, and I think I speak for everyone in the office when I say THANK GOD! Regardless of the fact that we’ve devoted a nauseating amount of column inches to covering this event, the music will be wonderful. This Saturday, September 6, The Waybacks, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge and The Lost Ridge Band will take the stage at Horn In The West for the event’s Pioneer Festival.
Next Week…
-Acoustic rockers and former Boonies Union County will return to their old stomping grounds for a CD release party at The Dragonfly Theatre on Thursday, September 11. The band will double their pleasure the following evening, September 12, with a show at Flipside.
-While he may not be a household name, Johnny Neel has toured and recorded with The Allman Brothers Band and Government Mule, not to mention playing on dozens of Nashville sessions. On Friday, September 12, the smoking keyboard player and vocalist will return to Murphy’s with his new funk band The Criminal Element.
-After developing a solid following of devoted fans in their home of Winston-Salem, folk rockers Old Stone Revue are aiming to do the same in the High Country. On Friday, September 12, the band will return to Canyons armed with their arsenal of extremely catchy, country-tinged tunes ready to make fans dance the night away.
On The Horizon…
-After largely abstaining from local stages for most of the summer, High Country indie rockers Naked Gods will make their return to the sweaty confines of Black Cat Burrito on Wednesday, September 17. The show is B.Y.O. tambourine.
-Joe Buck is easily the scariest looking dude that comes to Boone to play music. Nevertheless, he is a punk and psychobilly force of nature and plays like a man possessed. On Thursday, September 18, the raucous hell raiser will return town for a show at Green Eggs & Jam.
-Since forming in 2005, Wilmington-based duo Eymarel has been burning up the highway all over the United States, taking their dense brand of funktronica and neo-soul to the masses. On Friday, September 19, the former ASU students will bring the funk back to Boone for a show at Flipside.