W♥M

12/10/2023

Shaw Brothers Presents...

Product Description

Shaw Brothers Presents: Four Films by Chang Cheh
Release date: ‎ December 12, 2023

Five Shaolin Masters

Shaolin Temple

Five Venoms

Crippled Avengers

Shaw Brothers Presents: Four Films by Lau Kar-Leung
Release date: ‎ December 12, 2023

Challenge of the Masters

Executioners from Shaolin

Heroes of the East

Dirty Ho

Shaw Brothers Presents: The Basher Box
Release date: ‎ December 12, 2023

King Boxer

Boxer From Shantung

Chinatown Kid

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Shaw Brothers

Now enter Shout Factory, who also has a Shaw Brothers boxset in the works, set for release on June 13, 2023. They are releasing 11 titles, with special features yet to be announced. …

Arrow Videos will be releasing three new Shaw Brothers collections… just in time for the Christmas holiday.

Shaw Brothers Presents: The Basher Box

Shaw Brothers Presents: Four Films by Lau Kar-Leung

Shaw Brothers Presents: Four Films by Chang Cheh

In my previous reviews of Shaw Brothers Blurays, I mentioned that the massive boxsets are too expensive. So, breaking up the boxsets to mini-collections, such as Four Films by Chang Cheh makes a whole lot of sense to me. And pricing is fair, at $50 (retail) vs the $200 asking price of the original boxset.

As a diehard Shaw Brothers fan, I would love to buy all of these, but since I already own the original two Arrow’s Shaw Scope Boxsets - there is really no good reasons for me to re-buy these films again.

If you didn’t buy the original boxsets, I think these three releases are a good value (especially the Chang Cheh set as it contains one of my favorites Crippled Avengers).

If you already own the boxsets and have the extra cash, I say go ahead and get them, as it’s currently being sold for $30 each.

The three Shaw Brothers collections come out December 12th, 2023.

Since we’re on topic, the Shaw Brothers Classics boxsets from Shout Factory will be getting all their films in four boxsets (each $170 retail) in 2023 (the last one drops December 19, 2023). I suspect that in 2024, Shout Factory may breakup some of these films in smaller collections. So if you can’t afford all four boxsets, you should wait it out. Me personally? I prefer to have all the films in the boxsets… but I would’ve liked them to space out the releases. Buying about 100 Shaw Brothers films in one year is a little too much for me… in terms of watching them all and spending too much money!

If money is a problem, some Shaw Brothers films are available for streaming for free on Amazon Prime … Current Prime prices are $139 a year. I have never considered paying for Prime, but since I’m on the family plan on my brother’s Prime account, I don’t think I can live without Prime now. Think about it, you get free two-day shipping (sometime same-day shipping) on all your orders… plus other perks like Prime Video. If my brother stops paying for Prime, I will have to pick up the tab, because I can’t live without it now.

Read more Shaw Brothers, Bluray, Asian Invasion.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Posted at 01:25 PM in Asian Invasion, Bluray, DVD, Kung Fu, Movies, Shaw Brothers | Permalink | Comments (0)

12/09/2023

Minneapolis: This Week (12/17/2023)

12/08/2023

Minneapolis: January 13 to January 14, 2024

01/13 Sean Anonymous Birthday Show with XINA, Chance York and Dimitry Killstorm at 7th St Entry

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Har Mar Superstar

Har Mar Superstar is a staple in the Minnesota music scene. Even though he moved away for a couple of years, we claimed him as ours. He announced earlier this week that he was moving back …

George Perez Website: 25th Anniversary

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George Perez

Today, December 9th, is the 20th anniversary of my little George Perez Website, a website dedicated to comic book artist George Perez. …

This Saturday, December 9th, 2023, is the 25th Anniversary of the George Perez Website.

I started this little webpage in 1998, as a means to keeping track of George Perez’s art for my own collection. It was (at the time) the first (at least that I’m aware of) website devoted to George Perez.

In 2000, George Perez had seen my webpage and contacted me through email. He loved the dedication, and through the years, made announcements exclusively on the website to keep fans informed of his latest projects.

Currently, the George Perez Website is in its fifth version, located at thegeorgeperez.com. It is being hosted on iBrave Web Hosting Service, a lifetime hosting for a one-time fee.

It’s funny, looking back, when the website just turned five years, I was incredibly proud of it, because I didn’t think it would last that long.

George Perez wrote, “I just want to congratulate Vu on the 5th Anniversary of this fan site. I have been enormously flattered by all his work and dedication and I hope that I continue to deserve such attention.”

Special thanks to George Perez, Ilke Hincer, Tony Lorenz, Marcus Mebes, Andy Mangels, Doug and Sheila, Eric S., OJ Flow, Spencer, and to all the fans I’ve met along the way.

Timeline:

12/09/1998 - Version 1

05/06/2000 - Version 2

10/27/2006 - Version 3

07/10/2007 - on break for one year

07/12/2008 - Version 4

12/09/2008 - 10th Anniversary

12/09/2018 - 20th Anniversary

08/25/2021 - Version 5

01/15/2023 - Version 6

12/09/2023 - 25th Anniversary

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Posted at 06:53 PM in Comic Books, DC Comics, George Perez, Marvel Comics, Site Update | Permalink | Comments (0)

TINA- The Tina Turner Musical (Broadway Touring) at Music Hall, Kansas City MO (2023-12-05 through 12/10)

TINA TURNER MUSICAL SHOWTIMES

Tuesday, December 5, 2023: 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023: 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 7, 2023: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 8, 2023: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 9, 2023: 2 p.m.
Saturday, December 9, 2023: 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 10, 2023:1 p.m.
Sunday, December 10, 2023: 6:30 p.m.

TINA TURNER MUSICAL TOUR DATES

FAYETTEVILLE, AR 12/12/23 - 12/17/23 Walton Arts Center
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 12/26/23 - 12/31/23 Civic Center
HOUSTON, TX 01/02/24 - 01/07/24 The Hobby Center
AUSTIN, TX 01/09/24 - 01/14/24 Bass Concert Hall
SAN ANTONIO, TX 01/16/24 - 01/21/24 Majestic Theater
DALLAS, TX 01/23/24 - 02/04/24 Music Hall at Fair Park
FORT WORTH, TX 02/06/24 - 02/11/24 Bass Hall
NASHVILLE, TN 02/13/24 - 02/18/24 TPAC
NAPLES, FL 02/20/24 - 02/25/24 Artis-Naples
FORT MYERS, FL 02/27/24 - 03/03/24 Mann Performing Arts JACKSONVILLE, FL 03/05/24 - 03/10/24 Jacksonville Center
WEST PALM BEACH, FL 03/12/24 - 03/17/24 Kravis Center
GREENVILLE, SC 03/19/24 - 03/24/24 Peace Center
GREENSBORO, NC 03/26/24 - 03/31/24 Tanger Center
RICHMOND, VA 04/02/24 - 04/07/24 Altria Theater
DAYTON, OH 04/09/24 - 04/14/24 Schuster Center
APPLETON, WI 04/16/24 - 04/21/24 Fox Cities Arts Center
MILWAUKEE, WI 04/23/24 - 04/28/24 Marcus Center
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 04/30/24 - 05/05/24 Murat Theater
COLUMBUS, OH 05/07/24 - 05/12/24 Ohio Theater
TULSA, OK 05/14/24 - 05/19/24 Tulsa PAC
ROCHESTER, NY 06/04/24 - 06/09/24 West Herr Auditorium
MADISON, WI 06/11/24 - 06/16/24 Overture Center
TORONTO, ON 06/18/24 - 07/28/24 CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre
SCHENECTADY, NY 07/30/24 - 08/04/24 Proctors Collaborative

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Broadway in Kansas City

Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album....

“I don't want to hurt no more, don't care now who's to blame, I don't really want to fight no more, 'cause it's time for letting go…” - “I Don’t Wanna Fight'- Tina Turner

Starting a play with the ‘miracle mantra’ Buddist chant of “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo”, it’s very clear that the power of letting go can move mountains and is personified by the lows and highs in the life of legendary singer Tina Turner in TINA- The Tina Turner Musical, now playing through the weekend at the Music Hall in downtown Kansas City. We were fortunate enough to take in the production’s opening night--

Perhaps rock’s best-known, against-all-odds comeback story of redemption, the story of aka Anna Mae Bullock has ascended to legend; whether it be from the book co-written with MTV’s Kurt Loder, the award-winning 90’s movie starring Angela Bassett, or the recent acclaimed documentary, but this musical version not only maybe covers the largest scope of Turner’s life, and because of its format, is overall the most accessible in its delivery.

Written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Katori Hall and directed by internationally acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd (who basically invented the modern jukebox musical with Mamma Mia!), the musical tells the story of the 12-Time Grammy Award winner’s journey to stardom, and sheds light on the many highs and lows she experienced to get there.

For this touring production, the shared role of Tina featured an opening night appearance by Parris Lewis, a former understudy who has elevated role of Tina. Lewis’ voice starts somewhat meekly, reflecting Turner’s own initial uncertainty as a lead singer but dramatically blossoms with confidence when she and the band play Turner’s distinctive version of CCR’s “Proud Mary.”

Lewis may not have the trademark endless legs of the real Turner (who else does?!) nor the undefinable growl to her voice, but more than succeeds in embodying the stage presence and vocal range of the original.

The story starts with a career pinnacle – Turner’s record-setting audience in January 1988 at Maracana Stadium in Rio, with her nervous trepidation just before going on stage to almost 200,000 fans, resulting in some meditation that triggers memories all the way back to her beginnings near the ‘Nutbush City Limits’ of rural Tennessee.

A young Tina starts to stand out from the others due to the early quality of her voice, and as a teenager, she’s coaxed into singing a verse as bandleader Ike Turner with his group the Rhythm Kings passed around a mic at a local juke joint, which became the beginning of a six decade+ career.

Ike’s substance-filled mistreatment of Tina that went on for over sixteen years, has become well-known and her courage and resiliency was really put to the test after leaving Ike, penniless and with children in tow, forgotten by most of the music world (FYI, she even played the Grand Theater in downtown Topeka during those lean years as well).

The fortunate combination of meeting Australian business manager Roger Davies (played excitedly with a near-parody accent by Zac Freier-Harrison) and German music executive and eventual longtime partner/husband Erwin Bach (played by Max Falls) helped eventually set Turner on a redemptive path to unprecedented success and acclaim. (Comically and for the music buffs, there is a brief cameo appearance by the character of UK musician Martyn Ware of Heaven 17 during those early Capitol Records recording session scenes.)

Despite her continued and persistent reluctance to record (at least their version of) “What’s Love Got to Do with It”, the song became the true breakthrough (following a successful cover of Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’) that properly returned Turner into the international spotlight, that would continue until her recent death.

The production itself is highly skilled, briskly shifted from scene to scene (with the help of a large background video screen showing gauze-focus locations and trippy psychedelic light effects during the vintage performances), and a tight live band that mostly hides in the shadows, until taking centerstage for the final live songs.

The length of the production (with one intermission) isn’t really realized, as the all-familiar songs and strength of the performances, seem to make time fly. Lewis shines particularly on her own signature song, Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High” which she would often sing at auditions.

Though several songs are completely done out of chronological order, (i.e. the 80’s “Better Be Good to Me” and ‘90s “I Don’t Wanna Fight” sung during 1960s-set scenes), they were clearly inserted early for a reason, and gave additional gravitas to the drama of the situation.

The story culminates back behind, and on stage in Rio with her trademark song, “The Best”. But, like any good rock show, there is an encore of live performances after the group bows, so be sure not to leave until the very last note is played.

Entertaining, ultimately uplifting, and inspiring, TINA- The Tina Turner Musical playing at the Music Hall through this weekend, is a triumph and will bring additional joy during this holiday season, to anyone seeing it.

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical will run from Dec. 5-10 at the Music Hall.

((National Tour Photos by Matthew Murphy were provided) / Click on any image to enlarge and see in full)

TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL (Ari Groover as 'Tina Turner')

Ari Groover and John Toney (bass)

Ari Groover performing as Tina Turner

TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL (Parris Lewis performing What's Love Got to Do with It)

Ari Groover performing Higher

Parris Lewis sings River Deep, Mountain High

Kristopher Stanley Ward as 'Richard Bullock' and Symphony King as 'Young Anna Mae'

TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL (Brianna Cameron as 'Young Anna Mae')

Roderick Lawrence as 'Ike and Roz White as 'Zelma Bullock

Parris Lewis sings River Deep, Mountain High

Roz White as 'Zelma Bullock

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com

Posted at 02:12 PM in Broadway, John, Musical, Tina Turner | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: American Theater Guild, Broadway touring, Kansas City Anna Mae Bullock, Katori Hall, live Review, Live theater, Music Hall, musical, Parris Lewis, Phyllida Lloyd, PNC Broadway, Review, Tina musical, Tina Turner, TINA- The Tina Turner Musical

12/07/2023

The Game Awards 2023

Winners

Game of the Year > Baldur’s Gate 3

Best Adaptation > The Last of Us

Mobile Game > Honkai: Star Rail

Ongoing Game > Cyberpunk 2077

Community Support > Baldur's Gate 3

Anticipated Game > Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Independent Game > Sea of Stars

ESports Game > Valorant

Narrative > Alan Wake 2

Content Creator of the Year > Ironmouse

Action Game > ARMORED CORE™ VI FIRES OF RUBICON™

ESports Player > Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok

Art Direction > Alan Wake 2

Family Game > Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Games for Impact > Tchia

Audio Design > Hi-Fi Rush

Fighting Game > Street Fighter 6

Performance > Neil Newbon

VR Game > Resident Evil Village VR Mode

Debut Indie Game > Cocoon

Innovation in Accessibility > Forza Motorsport

Action/Adventure Game > The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

RPG > Baldur's Gate 3

SIM/Strategy Game > Pikmin 4

Multiplayer Game > Baldur's Gate 3

Esports Coach > Christine “potter” Chi

Esports Event > 2023 League of Legends World Championship

Esports Team > JD Gaming

Players' Voice > Baldur's Gate 3

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Games

Can you believe it? Baldur’s Gate 3 is out now on the PC. I paid full price ($60) for this game in Oct 2020, and have played a demo or early access of the game. I maxed out my character, and have patiently waited for the full …

Fallout

Fallout 3. Obviously, I'm still playing the game. At one point in the game, you have to go into Vault 112's virtual environment and it's seriously straight out of the Twilight Zone. You need a high Charisma or Speech skill …

I normally don’t do live streams, but when I got home from work today, YouTube was heavily promoting the livestream of The Game Awards (happening at exactly the time I turned on my computer).

Since I got a really nice Alienware OLED monitor, and I just picked up a Vizio M-Series All-In-One 2.1 Sound Bar (the monitor didn’t come with built in speakers)… I thought, what the hey, let’s play the live stream and see how the playback and audio sounds.

As you would expect, watching the live stream is just like watching an HD live television over the internet. Since it’s on my computer, at some point, I had the video take up 1/3 of my screen, while I do some work on the left side of the screen.

I have to say that the Game Awards show has high production, with very high-profile creators, such as Hideo Kojima with his upcoming OD game.

There were lots of advertisements… but it didn’t feel like ads, because they’re all trailers for upcoming games or for gaming products.

I also really dug seeing the Viking band Heilung play “Maidjan Song”, the main theme from the upcoming Ninja Theory’s Hellblade 2. They look so metal! And they sounded amazing, complete with fire dancers and war drums. I don’t know much about the band, but, man, the next time they are in the Minneapolis area, I want to see them live.

I was most excited to see some of the main cast (Walton Goggins, Ella Purnell, and Aaron Clifton Moten) for the upcoming Fallout television show from Amazon Prime on stage. They even had a guy in a power armor suit! It looks absolutely amazing! I really want that power armor for a Halloween costume.

Apparently, the three actors will be playing three characters. Ella plays Lucy, the former Vault dweller. Walton (any Justified fans will recognize him) as The Ghoul, a gunslinger. Aaron will be playing Maximus, part of the Brotherhood of Steel. Like I said, I’m very excited for the upcoming show, I just hope that they have good writers and it’s a good show.

No surprise, but the big winner at this year’s Game Award is Baldur’s Gate 3… taking numerous awards, including the coveted “Game of the Year”. Larian Studio’s Swen Vincke, came on stage with his plate armor, along with some key staff to take the grand prize.

As I previously said in August 2023, I felt this game was my personal Game of the Year. I’m just glad everyone else agrees with me.

Yours,

Weekend Gamer

12/06/2023

Neeson 2023

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Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson plays a hitman with a heart of gold in Memory. The hitman, suffering from early stages of Alzheimer, decides to make things right after declining a contract to kill a young girl. The 2022 film is based the Belgian film The Alzheimer Case. ....

In the Land of Saints and Sinners
imdb.com

Where we last saw actor Liam Neeson, it was for the “hitman with a heart of gold” movie Memory in 2022 - a remake of The Alzheimer Case. I mentioned for an actor in his 70s he was still very believable as an action star.

Neeson is at it again, and this time, In the Land of Saints and Sinners, is one of the best films I’ve seen from Neeson in a while. This is the second film that teams Neeson up with director Robert Lorenz… and I think they have a winner formula, because I did actually enjoy their film The Marksman.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners is basically a revenge film. The film takes place in Ireland, in the mid-70s. Neeson is a retired hitman who does “one last job” and now finds himself in a cat-and-mouse game of the Irish terrorists, seeking revenge.

I think where the film really shine is with its supporting cast, including the dumb, but young hitman played by Jack Gleeson, the bartender Sinead (Sarah Greene), and the Star Trek star Colm Meaney as the handler.

Some critics might find the action/revenge film a tired cliché, but I like it and I like seeing Neeson in these roles.

Neeson’s next film is called Thug, about an aging gangster. Personally speaking, I wouldn’t mind it if Neeson revise his role as the detective in A Walk Among the Tombstones… but since that film didn’t do well in the theaters, they probably won’t revisit the character.

Retribution
imdb.com

Liam Neeson’s other 2023 film is the action thriller Retribution, which came out in August 2023 from Lionsgate with little fanfare. That’s probably because this film isn’t that great.

There is a twist in the story, but I already guessed the correct ending by this point… and I didn’t even see the original Spanish film El desconocido, which this film was based on.

The plot is about Neeson as a financier. His car is rigged with explosive that if he tries to get out of the car, that it will explode. It’s not a believable story, but you go with it, because it’s Neeson in the lead and he’s captivating to watch. Unfortunately, since he’s trapped in the car, there’s not much action that he can do.

Like I said, this is not a good film. The police are horrible at their job (equally bad acting). It is just a standard action film, the Guadian best summed it up, saying: “Liam Neeson is on autopilot in car-bomb movie.”

In the end, would I recommend this film? Probably not, but if you like Speed and looking for a new action film, check it out. You may want to also add Non-Stop and The Commuter to your watchlist, as they’re from the same people.

12/05/2023

Christmas 2023: Mistletoes

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Portland Cello Project

Portland Cello Project (PCP) returned to Minneapolis at the Cedar Cultural Center last night, June 29th. This is one of those rare bands that is sponsored by MPR's Classical station, as noted by the Cedar's introduction. ....

Portland Cello Project
portlandcelloproject.com

Portland’s Portland Cello Project, or PCP, will be releasing Under the Mistletoe (with Prince alumni Saeeda Wright from New Power Generation) this December 8th. The holiday EP features Wright on vocals and Tyrone Hendrix on drums, as well as modern jazz musician Farnell Newtwon on “Winter Wonderland.”

Laura Gibson and Portland Cello Project (29 June 2013)

PCP will also be heading out on tour to promote the album. We saw the band a few times, the last from June 2013 and we said, “Check out Portland Cello Project on this tour with Laura Gibson. This a-typical show does a good mix of featuring classical and modern pop songs. If you're a Beck fan, these shows should not be missed!”

Portland Cello Project - Under the Mistletoe Tour

12/7 - Spokane, WA @ The District
12/8 - Missoula, MT @ The Wilma
12/9 - Bozeman, MT @ The Elm
12/14 - Astoria, OR @ The Liberty Theatre
12/15 - Moses Lake, WA @ Columbia Basin Allied Arts
12/16 - Corvallis, OR @ The Whiteside Theater
12/17 - Bend, OR @ The Tower Theater
12/20 - Yamika, WA @ The Seasons Performance Hall
12/21 - Kirkland, WA @ The Kirkland Performance Center
12/22 - Beaverton, OR @ Reser Center for the Arts
12/23 - Beaverton, OR @ Reser Center for the Arts

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Booker T

Booker T Jones, the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and most famous Hammond B3 player in history takes the stage …

Stax Christmas
staxrecords.com

Stax Records, Craft Recordings, and Concord, has put together Stax Christmas, a new 12-track collection of holiday classics and originals from soul music’s biggest stars. The collection is available on vinyl, CD, and digital (including hi-res formats).

Gospel and soul music fans will instantly recognize the Stax label. Originally founded in 1957, the Memphis label help launched acts such as Sam & Dave, the Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, and many others.

The highlight of this Stax Christmas release is for two previously unreleased recording of “Blue Christmas” by Carla Thomas and an alternate mix of Otis Redding’s beloved rendition of “Merry Christmas Baby.”

Track listing:

Carla Thomas - Blue Christmas 03:17
Otis Redding - Merry Christmas Baby (Alternate Mix) 03:08
Rufus Thomas - I'll Be Your Santa Baby 03:32
Albert King - Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin' 03:03
Booker T. & The M.G.'s - Winter Wonderland (Take 2) 02:08
The Staple Singers - Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas 02:36
Isaac Hayes - The Mistletoe And Me 03:58
The Rance Allen Group - White Christmas 02:48
Cix Bits - Season's Greetings 03:22
The Temprees - It's Christmas Time Again (The Christmas Song) 04:15
The Emotions - What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas? 03:23
Rufus Thomas & Carla Thomas - That Makes Christmas Day 4:41

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The Great Kat

Extreme Guitar Shred is the new 7-song album from The Great Kat. We’re previously written about her, saying that she’s a violinist who plays classical music in a metal style… often compared to Yngwie Malmsteen. …

The Great Kat
greatkat.com

You’ve never heard Christmas until you hear the shredding guitars and violin from The Great Kat. This year the Great Kat releases Christmas Classical, featuring her versions of classic Christmas songs.

Track listing:

Away In A Manger
O Holy Night
Silent Night
Home Sweet Home For Christmas
Chopin’s Nocturne Night Before Christmas
Nutcracker Candy Cane By Tchaikovsky
Greensleeves Christmas Carol
Vivaldi’s Winter Snow Storm
Bach’s Jesu Joyeux Noel
Handel’s Hallelujah Messiah
Pachelbel’s Canon Christmas Eve
Amazing Grace Merry Christmas
Beethoven’s Christmas Presents Für Elise
Ave Maria Mistletoe
Bach’s Sheep May Safely Graze Holiday Classic
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Sleigh Ride
Flower Duet Yuletide
Boccherini Merry Minuet
He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands Santa
Auld Lang Syne Christmas Hangover

12/04/2023

Minneapolis: January 10 to January 12, 2024

12/03/2023

Pert Near Sandstone at First Ave (12-02-2023)

12/02 Pert Near Sandstone with Them Coulee Boys and Humbird at First Avenue

Tour Dates

02/09/24 - White Pine, MI - 34th Annual Midwest Telefest
06/27/24 - Eau Claire, WI - 10th Blue Ox Music Festival
06/28/24 - Eau Claire, WI - 10th Blue Ox Music Festival
06/29/24 - Eau Claire, WI - 10th Blue Ox Music Festival

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Pert Near Sandstone

This was Pert Near’s Ship of Fools Release Party and a party is exactly what it was. This band brought the energy, the fun, and the talent to First Avenue on Friday night…

Them Coulee Boys

Them Coulee Boys were charged to warm up the crowd filtering into the venue . They are from Eau Claire, WI, Coulee being the name French Trappers called the region when they were trapping in Wisconsin. …

Humbird

Humbird opened the evening with Siri Undlin on lead vocal and guitar and Pat Keen on upright bass. Undlin said it was a little weird to be playing at the Fine Line for she is currently on the road, but also back in her hometown …

It was Americana folk music Saturday night at First Ave from three local bands that are making sure the form is not only relevant in the age of digital music but also a howling good time.

Humbird (01 Nov 2023)

Humbird opened the evening as the crowd slowly ambled in. We caught them at the Fine Line exactly a month ago, opening for Mipso. Again it was Siri Undlin on lead vocal and guitar with Pat Keen on upright bass providing some grooved solos with a “Go Pat Go!” coming from the crowd.

After launching into a funky space duo in “Free Life,” Undlin said she just released a new song “Child of Violence” and it was the first time she got hate mail, which she and Keen welcomed, but wanted to hear it face-to-face, preferably at the merch table.

To get into the holiday spirit they invited their friend, Clifton on fiddle, to the stage to play a “deranged” Xmas song. It was not so much psychotic as a haunting lament with loose strands of “Greensleeves” hemmed throughout.

Them Coulee Boys (21 Oct 2023)

Them Coulee Boys were up next and I’m glad that they were part of the festivities for I missed part of their set while trying to get into The Old Crow Medicine Show in October. It was their third time on the First Avenue stage and Beau Janke set aside his electric banjo to say being on there was not lost on him. “We’ve been down there hoping to be up here.”

They made the most of it with an electrified, rollicking good time with Janke joined by Soren Staff on guitar, Jens Staff on mandolin, Neil Krause on bass and Staš Hable on drums. Their music is infused by Americana but most definitely amped up and electrified, especially during the crowd favorite “10ft. Tall.”

You have to wonder how a traditional form of music that has roots in the southeastern part of the country found a prominent foothold in the Twin Cities. I read more than one article that says the impetus may have come from the Grammy award-winning soundtrack to the movie “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” Which is funny considering the movie was written and directed by two brothers from St. Louis Park, MN, Joel and Ethan Coen, neither who probably ever picked up a fiddle or banjo.

The members of Pert Near Sandstone are also from the Twin Cities suburbs, Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove. They first got into music by playing in heavy metal and ska bands. But as their music lessons progressed they too were caught by infectious music of bluegrass. And for almost twenty years they have been playing music that is impossible not to dance to, mainly because their percussionist, Andy Lambert, wears a pair of clogs. He was joined on stage with Nate Sipe on fiddle and mandolin, Kevin Knibel on banjo, J Lenz on guitar, Chris Forsberg on fiddle and Justin Bruhn on bass.

After a few break-neck songs, Sipe said they were going to slow things down a bit. Then they launched into “Twenty Cups of Coffee” which indicated that the band had no intention of slowing down, even inviting members of the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers to join in with Lambert throughout the evening.

Pert Near Sandstone has a new album out, their eighth, Waiting Days. And they took the opportunity with the album to expand their musical vocabulary as in “Gathering Clouds” when they invited Jason on trumpet and Max on saxophone to help add some Spanish flair to the song. Then there was “Out of Time” written by Lenz who was asked by the members of the band, “Why are your songs so dark?”

The album was produced by Ryan Young who is not only the fiddle player for Trampled by Turtles, but was a founding member of Pert Near Sandstone. He even joined the band on stage and it was the highlight of the evening to see him, Sipe and Forsberg take over with a foot-tapping trio.