musicphotog.com The Light of Sound

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Tea Leaf Green has a bigger crowd every time I see them. They played the 5 Spot on their previous trip to Atlanta and this show at the Variety Playhouse was respectably full. The quartet from San Francisco {Josh Clark (guitar/vocals), Ben Chambers (bass/vocals), Scott Rager (drums), and Trevor Garrod (keyboards/vocals)} has been making laps around the country and gets better with every stop. They are driven on great songwriting, strong vocals, heavy guitar, crafty piano, and pushed by a solid rhythm section. Check them out at a club near you.

Direct link to the Tea Leaf Green photo gallery

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Taj Mahal is a blues legend. This two-time Grammy Award winner, has been playing his unique style of blues for over forty years. Blending blues, reggae, Cajun, gospel, bluegrass, Hawaiian, African, and Caribbean musical traditions, his style is definitely. His performance with the Taj Mahal Trio at the Roxy Theater was proof that the man still has it after all these years. Taj is a natural performer. He is a great songwriter who sings his songs with a voice that is smooth as silk and gritty as dirt. While strutting around the stage, he wails on his guitar. This show is a must see for any fan of music.

Direct link to the Taj Mahal Trio photo gallery

The Secret Machines put on one hell of a live show, and the Halloween show at Center Stage in Atlanta was no exception. The power trio from New York City consists of Brandon Curtis (bass/keyboards/vocals), Ben Curtis (guitar/vocals), and Josh Garza (drums). These three have been creating buzz since 2000 when they formed in Dallas. Their most recent album, Ten Silver Drops, earned my vote as one of the top albums of 2006; however, this is a band that must be experienced live.

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The Aquarium Rescue Unit is one of the greatest jambands of all time. The experimental rock and jazz band was originally formed as a backing band for Col Bruce Hampton in 1989. Various lineups kept the band rolling until about 1997; there have been several reunion shows since. The line up for this show consisted of Col Bruce, Jeff Sipe (aka Apt Q-258), Jimmy Herring, Oteil Burbridge, and non original member Bobby Lee Rodgers. These are some of the best players in the business and this performance was as good as expected.

Direct link to the photo gallery

This fall tour was the start of a new chapter for Widespread Panic. George McConnell had been filling the shoes of the late Michael Houser for the past four years. A hard role to fill, George gave it the ole college try for over 300 shows. With the summer tour ending, George was asked to leave, and as the fall tour began Jimmy Herring was the new lead guitarist. Jimmy Herring has a very impressive resume and there was no doubt he could carry the band to the next level. There was no disappointment; the band and fans seems to be very happy with change. They are exploring places they haven’t visited in years and opportunity and growth seem to be the defining terms.

Musicphotog.com had the pleasure of photographing shows in Macon and Chattanooga. In conjunction with Glide Magazine and Honest Tune Magazine we are pleased to offer these photo galleries:

Widespread Panic - 10.7.2006 - Macon GA

Widespread Panic - 10.15.2006 - Chattanooga TN

Raconteur (n.), is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary, as one who tells stories and anecdotes with skill and wit. The supergroup, The Raconteurs, is true to this definition. Although the band discredits the label supergroup (claiming only to be “a new band made up of old friends”), these four musicians definitely bring fame and respect to the new ensemble. Jack White (The White Stripes), Brendan Benson (The Brendan Benson Band), Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes), and Patrick Keeler (The Greenhornes) are redefining the sub-genre power pop. Strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, and prominent guitar riffs are what The Raconteurs do best; however, they are extending the genre by exploring the jam and mixing it with rock. Most songs on the album, Broken Boy Soldiers, are around three minutes, but the live show brought a much deeper presentation of these witty songs. Jack is the most well known of the band, but did not steal the spotlight. Brendon was able to hold his own with The White Stripes front man, trading guitar licks, and stepping up to the microphone. Phenomenal guitar playing, on top of clever song writing with tuned in harmonies, backed by a solid rhythm section is a formula for success. They have a uniquely familiar sound with songs reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, R.E.M, Big Star and many other classic favorites. The sold out crowd was just as excited as the band; it was a good time had by all.

Please visit the gallery for all of the pictures from the Tabernacle.

Leo Kottke brought more people to the Variety Playhouse, than I have ever seen. His one man act of impressive guitar picking and captive story telling, kept the diverse crowd pleased and attentive through the encore. Leo played either a six or twelve string acoustic guitar and picked the strings as if there were three players on stage. His great sense of humor kept the crowd laughing and his stories ranged from a gaseous dog named Kottke to looking for E-strings in the hip room. The crowd was mostly older; however, there were many different generations in attendance. Leo gained some popularity among the younger “jam-band” crowd when he recorded Sixty Six Steps with Phish bassist, Mike Gordon. It was a nice environment to sit back, relax, and take in some quality music.

Direct link to this photo gallery.

The Day the Music Never Stopped was a quaint gathering to celebrate the life of Jerry Garcia. Many people wondered how there was free on-site camping in Buckhead. Not to be confused with the trendy part of Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia is located about an hour and a half east of Atlanta. It was a great location, and a nice escape from the city. During the day, the temperatures were manageable and the night was perfect. With a great atmosphere and great music, we are excited about next year. The highlight of the weekend was Herring / Rodgers / Sipe. With the announcement of Jimmy Herring as the new lead guitarist for Widespread Panic, it will be rare to see him in such an intimate setting. Herring / Rodgers / Sipe have played a tour’s worth of shows, and all have been nothing less of impressive. This was the last show they will play “for a little while” (as quoted by Jeff Sipe).
Next year’s festival has already been announced with the dates of August 3, 4, 5, and 2007.
The bands photographed by musicphotog.com were Space Medicine, Deep Blue Sun, Herring / Rodgers / Sipe and can be seen by clicking this direct link to the photo gallery.

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The show at Hi-Fi Buys (formally Lakewood) Amphitheater was one of the best Allman Brothers Band shows that I have seen. Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes are two of the best players alive, a duo that equates to guitar rock at its finest. The band obviously goes deeper than guitar. Butch and Jaimoe play as one eight limbed creature. Gregg Allman needs no introduction. This is a band of professionals.

From the first note, the band was firing on all cylinders. Note to note, and song to song, the entire show flowed perfectly. The attentive crowd was a noted source of energy for the band. Susan Tedeschi (Derek Truck’s wife) was my personal favorite of the several special guests that took the stage. She was given the opportunity to spotlight her impressive vocal and guitar skills. The unanimous crowd highlight was the set closer. You Don’t Love Me > Mountain Jam is arguably among the best music the band has ever played. We walked out knowing we had witnessed a great rock and roll show.

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