Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals: they only come out at night!

Meanwhile, back at the SOLD OUT 9:30 Club, it's like old times again!

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, whom we enjoyed as an opening act supporting Gov't Mule last November, are on the prowl and selling out venues across the country in their first ever headline tour. The 1600 crew was granted an EXCLUSIVE interview with the gracious Ms. Potter backstage before the show, slated to air in about 3 weeks on Channel 10. And let me tell ya, we were as impressed by her knowledge of music and dedication to her craft as we were by her voice and musicianship. And remember, you heard it here FIRST!

As for the show, opening act Will Dailey and the Rivals warmed up the packed house, with guitarist Matt Pynn showing some solid chops and playing some crisp leads. In 2006, Dailey won a Boston Music Award for best male singer/songwriter, and his songs have been featured on CSI: NY and recorded a cover of Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World for the series Kid Nation. With a couple of albums under their belts, last year's "Back Flipping Forward" has gotten some traction already, and may catapault them further into the public eye.

In the meantime, in case you've been under a rock somewhere for the last couple of years, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have arrived. The band has released three CDs so far, culminating in 2007's "This Is Somewhere," which demonstrates the young Vermonsters' retro, bluesy sound and Grace's rapidly-evolving songwriting and mature, expressive voice. Guitarist Scott Tournet, bassist Brian Dondero, and drummer Matt Burr ably and gleefully accompanied Grace in this nearly two-hour, adrenalin filled romp. And clearly their exposure to other artists in the jam band scene has made an impression, but they have a distinctive, rootsy sound with a pace that's tight but unhurried, separating them from many of their contemporaries. They are a throwback to old 60's soul and blues, as genuine and heartfelt as their inspiration.

Take one part folk, a dose of Southern blues, add a touch of swamp boogie, some overtones of a gospel revival meeting and top it off with a generous portion of sweet maple syrup, and you get the powerful, "lightning in a bottle" punch described in their opening number, Mastermind, one of the bands' signature tunes. Stop the Bus, a great jamming groove about getting out and playing on the road soon followed, as well as Here's To the Meantime, a song about unrequited love that Grace assured us was not autobiographical. Likewise, Joey ("don't treat me good no more"), off the "Nothing But the Water" album, echoed the defiant spirit of a woman done wrong by her abusive boyfriend, finally standing up to him and getting out of a bad situation. Ah, Mary is another song about a tough ol' gal, with a sly knockout play on words at the end, that takes the story to a whole different level.

Sugar is a new song, showing Grace in turns as playful, seductive, raucous and bluesy, and evoking a classic sound that was simultaneously familiar yet fresh. Sweet Hands also had a great hook, and Nothing But the Water was another standout, the latter song joyous and exultant, and bursting with that "Sunday-go-to-meeting" spirit interpreted through Janis, Bonnie, Rickie Lee, Johnny Cash, and a little Band-era Bob Dylan. The set and encore also yielded a couple of interesting arrangements that refreshed the band's covers of the Who's Gettin' in Tune, and Aerosmith classic Sweet Emotion. The band closed with a strong rendition of Big White Gate, written for (but not actually about) Grace's grandmother, about life being too short for regrets, and the merits of diving into it feet first.

We're expecting great things from this talented band, and look forward to seeing them back again, for what we hope will be many appearances in local DC-area venues, and many more jokes, stories and insights. 1600 also thanks Grace's dog Kick for joining us, and breaking the ice, as well as Jen and Justin for helping to make the interview possible. We hope everyone enjoys the rest of the tour, and look forward to the next release, which Grace promised us will be a departure from their previous recordings, taking the band into new and uncharted frontiers!

Catch 'em if you can, but for now, we'll reluctantly say "goodnight, Gracie!"

Night of A Thousand Years ( Of Commercial Free Music!)

Debra Dobkin, Richard Thompson & Judith Owen Really Belt It Out

It was a windy Wednesday night when the 1600 gang invaded the not-so-ivied halls of academia at George Washington Univ. campus' Lisner Auditorium for a musical history lesson from the renowned singer and guitarist Richard Thompson, accompanied by singer- keyboardist Judith Owen, and singer- percussionist Debra Dobkin, for the "One Thousand Years of Popular Music" tour. Uncharacteristaically early, due to some good parking karma, we showed up in time to hear the sound check and get a small taste of what we would be in for that night. And we were tempted to break into applause long before the curtain ever rose.

First, we had the good fortune and privilege to sit down with the tale-spinning Mr. T for a few minutes prior to the show. He graciously provided insight into the current tour, the character of popular music over the centuries, his songwriting regimen, recordings, soundtracks, videos, and other diverse projects; his quick wit always at the ready, but still indulging our questions with patience and courtesy. All to be broadcast in a 1600 interview coming your way in the next week (starting Feb. 4th, online at http://www.1600.tv/ soon after)! Unfortunately, time did not permit us to have Ms. Dobkin or Ms. Owen accompany him; we hope to meet them again the next time they are in Washington, and will keep a sharp eye out for their return. The ladies each demonstrated effortless mastery of their instruments, as well as incredible vocal range and sophistication that left the audience breathless and eager for more. Mr. Thompson has never shared the stage with more talented or compelling performers in his long and distinguished career. We hope this particular trio will continue to entertain together for many tours to come.

After our interview and a hastily-gobbled dinner at the packed Lindy's Lion around the corner, we returned to the hall. Now a confession (with all due apologies!): from the door, we observed the three walking in from the back of the audience, Ms. Dobkin in the lead with a bass drum. We waited until the doors were opened, rushed to our seats, and never missed another second of the performance. And what a performance it was!

They serenaded a packed house, and paid tribute to some of the best and most enduring compositions of the last ten centuries, with a loving nod and a wink, and glib introductions by Thompson describing the period from which each song arose, and its significance in the musical pantheon. Over the last few years, the set has changed and metamorphosed, as musicians as diverse as Hank Williams Sr., The Kinks, the Beatles, Nat King Cole, Nelly Furtado, ABBA, and even Britney Spears have been covered alongside Henry Purcell, Gilbert and Sullivan- even Richard the Lionhearted, as well as dozens of traditional folk songs in three or four languages since this series of shows began in 2002.

Thompson was his usual wry, affable self, and he set the crowd up for each song, sometimes discussing the time it was written, other times focusing on content, or who wrote it and what made it significant. So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo, ("I know a lucky man") sung in Italian, was described blithely as a "cuckolding song," a popularly recurring theme which, Thompson noted, has literally "been around for centuries." Pipe Shepherd's Pipe was a madrigal that featured the rich harmonies of Thompson, Owen, and Dobkin to their fullest advantage. Later in the set (by several centuries) came a powerful Shenendoah, which he apologetically explained was not about Virginia, but Missouri. The trio also gave their loving treatment to I Live in Trafalgar Square, a song about a tramp's boast of living the good life on the streets of London. It was just a warm-up for what we would hear in the second half of the show, which was devoted to 20th century compositions.

Stick McGhee's Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-Dee was explained to me by Jerry to be the deadly concoction of wine with liquor the wild eyed hillbilly boys drank in the old days to get all revved up. Java Jive was another merry romp, but the highlights of the evening were doubtlessly Judith Owen's stunning renditions of Cole Porter's Night and Day, and Cry Me A River. Her dynamic vocals evoked the greatest response from an appreciative audience, who were on their feet by the end, saluting this versatile chanteusse with well-placed admiration. They also showcased the Kinks' Ray Davies, whom he described as one of the greatest songwriters of our time, with a smart arrangement of See My Friends. And as always, sound wizard extrordinaire Simon Tassano ensured that every note was crystal clear, and the instruments complimented each other without ever overpowering the sometimes-delicate vocals or acoustic guitar and keyboards, played with a subtle confidence that made for a truly intimate performance. And throughout the 2 sets, art from the middle ages and renaissance showed on a screen behind the eclectic artists, as well as more modern pieces, as the band played on.

Although the crowd begged for it, Thompson refrained from playing any of his own songs, many of which were certainly more worthy than the Abba or Nelly Furtado songs they performed. During our interview, he stated that including his own music would have been presumptive, something no one could ever accuse this modest artist of ever being, even though his guitar and songwriting skills are in constant demand, and his albums always critical favorites. Once again, to his credit, Thompson didn't show off his considerable guitar skills, choosing instead to let the songs speak for themselves, the performers' fine voices doing the heavy lifting, and generously sharing the spotlight with Dobkin and Owen, who demonstrated that they could more than hold their own. Debra Dobkin's atmospheric drumming, ranging from sticks on one song, to mallets or brushes on others as the situation demanded, was always tight and timely, providing a steady counterpoint to the guitar and vocals, which she and Judith Owen blended with Thompson's sturdy baritone to achieve breathtaking results.

The band will continue this tour with dates in various clubs through the Northeast and Midwest until the middle of February. If you're interested in seeing just how three talented players can render a wide range of music, from ancient secular music to opera, country, and pop, this is the show for you. As Thompson noted, perhaps this will spark some interest in a particular period, or prompt the audience to delve deeper into the works of some deserving artists. Fans of Richard Thompson will likely be treated to a more characteristic display of guitar virtuosity, when he makes a return to another Washington area venue, either solo or with a band, sometime in the near future. And we hope that Ms. Dobkin (www.debradobkin.com) and Ms. Owen (www.judithowen.net) also return here soon, like Mr. Thompson, to dazzle listeners with their own music and further enrich the current century with songs yet unheard.

PS: The "1,000 Years of Popular Music" 2 CD/1 DVD package is a beautiful companion to this tour that captures the players at their best, including many songs heard on previous incarnations of this show. And Judith Owen will release her latest album, "Mopping up Karma," in June, and singles will debut beginning February 12th, starting with Let's Hear It For Love, from various online sources. And if you haven't yet heard her 2007 release, "Happy This Way," I encourage you to pick it up to really appreciate the breadth of her songwriting, and vocal and piano skill, with guest appearances by Thompson, Cassandra Wilson, and other world-class musicians.

They Came From NJ

Jim, Pat, Thrilla and Dennis: Still Top of the Pops!

The Smithereens returned to the State Theater in Falls Church on fire on Jan 12th for a sold- out performance, picking up where they left off in Reston on Memorial Day weekend. The band was in top form, with Pat turning in a tremendous performance and Jim Babjak and the Thrilla, Severo Jornacion, aiding and abetting and leading the raucous crowd whilst the ever- reliable Dennis Diken laid down a steady beat and harmonies. Playing a thunderous mix of classic Smithereens including rare moments from their early releases, a few British Invasion tunes, and even a slightly belated X-Mas singalong in a gratifying tour de force, these Jersey boys (and honorary East Coaster. the Thrilla) deftly mixed in a couple of songs from Pat's latest solo album, Since You Went Away and Any Other Way, classic pop ballads that stand up to the Smithereens' formidable body of work.

There was no opening act (they would have probably been ripped apart by rabid fans were it otherwise!) and the band simply took the stage and launched into a high octane 2 hour set. The Smithereens mixed it up, playing a bounty of their best known work, kicking off with Only a Memory, and digging into their catalogue for House We Used To Live In, A Girl Like You, Blue Period, Behind the Wall of Sleep, Time and Time Again, Miles From Nowhere, and Cigarette (which Pat explained, he normally sang with a lit smoke in hand, but having recently given up the habit, he was forced to improvise a bit).

The band also pulled out chestnuts like Spellbound and In a Lonely Place that were welcome additions to their set, and as mentioned above, even threw in a few Beatles tunes from last year's "Meet The Smithereens," my favorite being It Won't Be Long, which had everybody in the joint yeah-yeah-yeahing. Thrilla and Jim kept the relentless pace going, clapping their hands and really ratcheted it up a notch when the unmistakable rumbling bass for Blood and Roses began. The subsequent encore featured a pair of Who covers (The Seeker, one of their staples, and a solid reading of Behind Blue Eyes, which I'd never heard them play before!), along with Santa Bring My Baby Back from their latest release, "Christmas With The Smithereens," that features classic (and non-cheesy!) Christmas songs like Chuck Berry's Run Rudolph Run, alongside their own original compositions.

Unfortunately, we did not have time for a third interview on this whirlwind visit, but we may be able to corner them when they return this summer play here at the Red Cross Waterfront Festival in Alexandria, VA. Saturday, June 14th. In the meantime, however, our friends did have us videotape this excellent show, which will be broadcast on Channel 10 as a 2 HOUR 1600 SPECIAL- in it's entirety very soon. Keep tuned to this space for schedules and check the www.fcac.org website for info on when this will air- anticipated to be sometime (several times, actually!) in February and March!

And that ain't all- these guys aren't letting any moss grow under their feet. Later this month, they'll be recording their first official live album at the Court Tavern, in New Brunswick, NJ January 30- February 2nd. Be there or be square! (For more latebreaking news, visit the Pat Di Nizio and Smithereens websites, now available on our links page!) This project is intended to be released as a double CD, and will feature all your favorite Smithereens' rockers, ballads, covers, and more recent material, recorded in state of the art digital sound! Pat said other new songs are ready for a third "solo" album. More details on that, and whether this will be a semi- (as the latest one) or complete Smithereens jam, when the info becomes available!

VIEWER'S RESPONSES, BURNING QUESTIONS, AND THINGS TO COME!

Well, the response to our live 2 hour Christmas free-for-all was inspirational! We thank the many callers, some of whom were actually not related to any of us, for sharing their holidays with the 1600 family, who likely rank somewhere between the Osmond Family, the Partridge Family, and the Manson Family among the people least welcome to prepare the egg nog for your next holiday bash!

And best of all, dinner was really GREAT! Chef Jerry gave cast and crew a delicious, mouthwatering bird which was devoured in due course as soon as the cameras stopped rolling. The side dishes all came out pretty well, too. Everyone survived quite nicely, and no Tums or Alka Seltzer were necessary to soothe upset stomachs afterward. However, we note that only Pete the Builder was brave enough to try the jellied cranberry sauce. By the time we got out of the studio, it was far too late to get a glass of Christmas cheer anywhere. So sugarplums still dancing in our heads, we trundled off for home, already scheming to top "Cooking with 1600" with another gala soiree in 2008!

So, what's coming up in 2008, you ask?

We start off with a bang next Saturday with our friends the Smithereens at the State Theater on Saturday night, January 12th! Guitar giant Richard Thompson will join us before his show at the Lisner Theater on January 23rd (get your tickets now!) and the 9:30 Club hosts Grace Potter and the Nocturnals on February 16th- they were a killer opening act for Gov't Mule, and we can't wait to hear more out of this smokin' blues band! And then we look forward to a visit to the Iota Club and Cafe on February 19th for Brian Vander Ark of the Verve Pipe! Soon after that, we'll be back at Jammin' Java, for the return of the Adrian Belew Power Trio on March 15th...sure to be sold out, so act now!

And of course, there's a few other items we're working on but don't want to let the cat out of the bag just yet! Keep watching and check this website for more info as it becomes available! You'll be the first to know.

Now for a few emails and notes we received after the Christmas show:

Caught a new episode today 11/26 on channel 10 cox cable. seems like a long time since last new show. has the gas gone out of the show? see no new blog entries since june and at end of todays show steve said so long and farewell. does that mean that was last show?and steve really should sit more ladylike if he's going to keep wearing shorts!
visitor_email: grantnapier@live.com

Thanks, dude. Can't understand why you're not seeing new shows, you should have new episodes every week! Next time, just remember to put the Wild Turkey away, and turn the set on at 10 pm Fridays! And there were lots of blog entries in October, November and December. Maybe you went to the old blog site? This is where we're at now, tell your friends, and drop us a line to say hi! We're here for the long haul, you're not rid of us so easily. And Steve....LADYLIKE? BWAH- HAH- HAH!!! You SLAY me! I knew the striking TV writers had to have an outlet to keep sharp! That's the funniest thing I've heard since Condi Rice called Russia's elections fixed!!!

you mentioned 10cc but left out the lovin spoonful...same idea - reo speedwagon was a very old fire engine - bill cosby, beverly sills, johnny cash, henny youngman = cosby, sills, cash, and youngman - cocteau twins were characters from a claude monet book...i think - u2 is from the spy plane -
visitor_email: kstewart@gmu.edu

Yes, Ken, you get points on the Cocteau Twins and U2. However, the Lovin' Spoonful was named for how junkies typically prepare their heroin. And wasn't it really Crosby, Tillis, Crash and Hung- Norm Crosby, Mel Tillis, Billy "Crash" Craddock, and William Hung, who sang "She Bangs" so painfully on American Idol, only to be narrowly beaten out by the Clark Bros. (Roy and General Wesley (Ret.) on the Next Great American Band? Seriously, we could probably do 2 more shows on band names- glad you enjoyed it!

I love your show... Have you heard of a band called MOFRO? They're out of Jacksonville, Florida and play "swamp cracker" front porch soul. They opened for half of the Allman's 2007 summer tour... Cheers - Ted
visitor_email: tedbowler@msn.com

Sorry we missed that, Ted. It sounds like an interesting mix. I used to wear a mofro, but when I went to the salon to get it permed, all the guys in the neighborhood snickered at me and threatened to beat me up. It was embarrassing. Steve was at the Brothers' show here, but probably too hammered to remember the opening act...what's that? J. Geils and Heart? I thought you said it was Dio and Foghat!

And once again, thanks to everyone who tuned in and called, especially our pal, the infamous Tommy Gavin! See ya at the next show!

That's all for now. Stay tuned for more inspired (?) silliness. We always enjoy running into and hearing from you guys, and appreciate your thoughtful recommendations, camaraderie, and heckling!

And onto another wild year!

Happy F@#*in' New Year!

10 MORE REASONS WHY 2008 IS ALREADY DISAPPOINTING:

10. The Writer's Strike is still ruining late night TV.
9. Richard Cheese was only on CNN with Anderson Cooper for about 2 minutes New Year's Eve, who subjected us to the nonstop inane lunatic ravings of Kathy Griffin instead. Can you say "trainwreck?"
8. After months of trying to perfect the selection process, most of the BCS Bowls have been one sided blowouts and the NCAA National Champion will likely yield another also-ran, mediocre, so-called "championship" team- again.
7. And speaking of football, just what will it take for Bill Parcells to stay retired? Ricky Williams sharing his bud stash, so coach has to get on "Weight Watchers" again? And how will the hapless Dolphins perform for their new "Tuna in Chief?" I thought they were trying to keep the Dolphins out of Tuna nets! 1-15 in '07, will make the huge leap to 3-13 in '08.
6. Another little Spears child will be brought into the world- have we not suffered enough already?
5. STILL no Chinese Democracy.
4. Sean Connery will NOT reprise his role as Harrison Ford's father in this year's Indiana Jones movie. Unfortunately, however, Sylvester Stallone will both star in and direct the latest installment of Rambo, due out later this month. Hey, have I showed you my Terry Kath impression?
3. No more Harry Potter books, just when they were starting to get interesting!
2. Anheuser Busch (the people that bring you Buttwiper, the King O' Beers) has bought Dominion Brewing Company, discontinued several of its signature beers and ales already, and threatens to destroy what was Virginia's oldest (and best!) microbrewery.
AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON THAT 2008 SUCKS SO FAR....
1. Barring a miracle, we still have 385 days left until the end of the Bush-Cheney Administration. Wake me up when it's over.

For more reasons to lament, wail, and gnash your teeth (as if you needed any!), go to our links page and click on Despair.com. The cheery thoughts offered there should have you out on the ledge or your head in the oven in no time!

1600 GOES LIVE FOR OUR 2007 XMAS XTRAVAGANZA!!!

Greetings, Culture Lovers!

Here's a head's up for our loyal viewers and a special Christmas present to you from the crew at 1600! On Friday night December 21st, and just in time for the holidays, 1600 will present a special 2 HOUR LIVE SHOW! From 9:30-11:30 pm, you can tune in and get the skinny on the year's best new releases, concerts, interviews, and most outrageous moments, as brought to you by Jerry, Steve and Bob, in their inimitable (not that anyone would want to!) manner!

There will be more surprises and announcements, Christmas music, holiday recipes, spiked egg nog, and more 1600 than you can shake a stick at! Consider this to be YOUR INVITATION to get in on an unforgettable, unforgivable, unGrinchable Christmas Party!

Because, best of all, YOU are cordially invited to call in to speak your mind- LIVE ON THE AIR! The magic number is: (703) 573-5483 (that's (703) 573-LIVE) and let us know what you think! What are you listening to? Who do you want to see us interview? Hate the show? Like the show? Love the show? Wish we'd discuss a certain topic or pay tribute to a favorite band? Now's your chance to sound off, sing out, and say your piece!

So, tuck the kids in bed and let them dream of sugarplums, candy canes, and teddy bears, while you stay up to raise hell and join the festivities! Remember to tune in early on Friday Dec. 21st, and stay with us through the night to ring out the old year with much joyous noise!

From Steve, Jerry & Bob

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Umphrey's McGee: Kids or Jail??

Umphrey's McGee, looking remarkably out of character

The 1600 team had a chance to sit down with the members of Umphrey's McGee before their triumphant return to the 9:30 Club October 17th. We were pleased to catch up with Jake, Brendan, Ryan, Joel, Chris, and Andy, heard some great stories, talked sports, found out about their influences, and heard about the brand new, just released double live album, Live at the Murat, recorded in April at the Murat Egyptian Room in Indianapolis. The interview will air soon on Channel 10 in Fairfax, and will be online shortly after. (So you can figure out why this review is called Kids or Jail!) Don't miss it!

The first set started around 9:30, and the near-capacity crowd was dancing, shouting, and swaying before the band even hit the stage. Umphrey's sound was for the most part, spot on, although Jake was having some difficulty initially with his pedals and effects, but that was ironed out relatively quickly...They opened with "Walletsworth," from their 2004 disc, Anchor Drops, doing one of their trademark jams (a.k.a., a Jimmy Stewart) and returning to the main theme, followed by "Push the Pig," "Believe the Lie" (from the 2006 CD, Safety in Numbers), "Utopian Fir," and "Thin Air."

After a short break to regroup, Umphrey's returned to the stage with "Hurt Birdbath," from 2002's Local Band Does Okay, a title that indicates the band's self-effacing, low-key attitude that makes them refreshingly approachable and down to earth. They continued with "Words," "Smell the Mitten" (A Spinal Tap reference/homage? Pretty funny!), and another Jimmy Stewart, into the title cut from their most recent studio release, The Bottom Half. The set ended on a high note, with "Kabump," and one of their dozens of odd covers, rehearsed and worked out on the bus, at their hotel, and backstage before the show. Tonight's pick was A Flock of Seagulls "I Ran," which I hadn't heard in a very long time, and as enhanced by the Umphrey's crew, sounded pretty good, although I nearly laughed out loud as Brendan launched into the lyrics. Steve was probably the gladdest of all to hear it, however, because it meant that Jerry and I wouldn't have to crush his spleen for suggesting "Sister Christian," another bad 80's tune the band occasionally performs live.

They solo, they duel, they improvise on the fly, and take chances- something few bands (even jam bands) can do as seamlessly, or as apparently effortlessly. But they admit to practicing like crazy (Adrian Belew told us that Umphrey's sometimes even works on material between sets! How hard core is that?) and after 10 years together and over 2,000 shows, the time and effort they put into their music definitely shows! The band goes from one song to suddenly veer off and break into another, completely different style, each member taking off in different directions, and then pulling back right back together to finish the song that started the medley, throwing out the occasional hand signals, or counting off, and watching each other's every move. And the audience moves right along with the beat, nonstop- dancing, laughing and playing, while soaking up every note.

So, look for them to come back in the spring to the DC area and see what the fun is all about. And look for us down by the right speaker, dancing along...