W♥M

First Avenue and Prince: Before the Rain exhibits at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul

About First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota's Mainroom Your all-access pass to the stars, the shows, and the stories of the legendary club that put Minnesota music on the map. Exterior entrance of First Avenue, 7th Street Entry. Black and white photo by Daniel Corrigan. Since 1970, First Avenue & 7th St. Entry have been at the heart of the Minnesota music scene. Celebrate the musicians, the employees, and the regulars who called First Avenue their rock 'n' roll home. About Prince: Before the Rain Minnesota photographer Allen Beaulieu helped shape the icon we know today as Prince. As Prince's personal photographer and friend, he had access to Prince that few photographers have had, before or since. Based on Beaulieu's photography book, Prince: Before the Rain, the exhibit includes album cover outtakes, live performance shots, and rare behind-the-scenes candids. Read More Prince The two big shows on this date will be the Prince Tribute Concert (featuring Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan) at Xcel Energy Center and Sia at Target Center...

(Note: like most other public buildings, the Minnesota History Center is currently closed, but we invite you to check out the exhibits once this public health crisis subsides)

Celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this coming week, First Avenue & 7th St. Entry have been the heart of the Minnesota music scene since its first show (featuring Joe Cocker) in a converted bus station originally called The Depot, then Sam's. That fabled history is documented in a unique exhibit now on display called First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota's Mainroom at the Minnesota History Center.

Filled with decades of memorabilia showcasing renowned national, international and local acts, the exhibit is all-access pass that brings the club into sharp focus as to how and why it has flourished over five decades of presenting live music.

The beginning hallway of the exhibit features an impressive collage of monthly calendar flyers from its heyday, with numerous acts who would later play arenas and stadiums (like U2 who composed part of 'October' during their first soundcheck there), penciled in alongside bands that have been forgotten over time.

A front corner of the exhibit highlights the club's 70's-era days as a danceteria and the tenure when it was known as Uncle Sam's, complete with a lighted disco dance floor with accompanying videos and ephemera from the period.

A battered first cash register, graffiti wall with stickers, numerous photographs, and backroom documents are many of the mini kiosk displays seen along the way. Heralded national bands that began in Minnesota are given their own individual displays, including a speaker and lyric-filled drum kit from Husker Du, sneakers and a Gibson Les Paul from Soul Asylum, and even the actual touring van from hip-hop collective Doomtree.

A small theater features a mini-movie about the club running every twenty minutes, a wall of impressive silkscreen gig posters is located near the back, and interactive displays let you write in your most memorable shows attended, and guests can even customize their own First Avenue star.

Of course, a good amount of the exhibit is dedicated to Prince, who gave First Avenue even more acclaim and awareness, when the club was used as a central location in 1984's Purple Rain. His famous purple suit is there, along with associated memorabilia and even fan-made memorial tributes left after he passed, are on display. Additionally, an unused version of his famous motorcycle in the film, is located in the museum's main lobby downstairs.

As a bonus, a sister exhibit called Prince: Before the Rain is located nearby and features photographic prints from friend and early official photographer Allen Beaulieu, covering the time period from the late 70's to just before Purple Rain.

Based on Beaulieu's photography book of the same name, the exhibit includes album cover outtakes, live performance shots, and rare behind-the-scenes candid images that provide an insider's visual insight into the musical legend.

We were on-hand for the official opening of the Before The Rain exhibit last October, celebrated with a group discussion featuring Beaulieu, Prince guitarist Dez Dickerson, and DJ Kevin Cole, moderated by Andrea Swensson of The Current. Each of the panel related stories and memories from the time period that provided additional detail into Prince's early days, his association with the club, and meteoric rise into the public eye.

The exhibits were initially due to run only until May 3^rd, but with Paisley Park's annual Celebration delayed into the fall, and the museum currently closed due to virus concerns, expect an extended run for both exhibits, once all is re-opened. Additionally and related, a documentary on First Avenue is premiering on the local Minneapolis public television channel on March 30.

Prince PR motorcycle

Prince exhibit

Prince exhibit

Purple Rain suit

Theater mini movie

DoomTree van

Husker Du drumkit

Soul Asylum display

sticker wall

poster display

Uncle Sams dancefloor

Uncle Sams items

History Center hallway

History Center hallway

Al Beaulieu / Andrea Swensson

Dez Dickerson / Kevin Cole

Al Beaulieu

Dez Dickerson

First Avenue and Prince: Before the Rain at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

We♥Movies: Mr. Nelson On the Northside (Prince documentary advance screening)

Mr. Nelson On the Northside Producer: Dan D’Or, Michael J. Kirk Distributor: Kew Media Synopsis The journey to the top was a challenge for the shy kid from a broken home in North Minneapolis. This is the story never before told. In a mixedrace neighbourhood during the Civil Rights movement, Prince found security, musical opportunities and encouragement at a local community center called ‘The Way’. This influence, coupled with the culture and music of the era, gave Prince his passion for music and performance. In this film, Prince’s mentor Spike Moss explains the origin and influences that shaped Prince’s musical skills. Musical icons such as Chuck D, Macy Gray and Chaka Khan recount never before told stories of Prince and how his unique creative form inspired them. His fans share personal experiences of his social media connections and private performances at Paisley Park. Read More Prince The two big shows on this date will be the Prince Tribute Concert (featuring Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan) at Xcel Energy Center and Sia at Target Center. …

“This is how we funk on the Northside, got to be bold” - Prince, ‘Northside’

Since Prince Rogers Nelson unexpectedly passed away just over three years ago, the veritable floodgates have opened in terms of tributes, books, and documentaries about his fabled life, with even more coming soon.

Of those, none really focuses sharply on his formative early years and life as a mostly shy, sometimes mischievous, and extremely talented kid growing up in North Minneapolis, until now.

Mr. Nelson On the Northside is an in-progress documentary that plants a foot in Prince’s North Minneapolis neighborhood going into detail about the local community center called The Way, that helped nurture and encourage his fast-developing musical talent.

A workprint of the documentary was recently screened for the neighborhood community at a semi-private affair at Minneapolis North High School (FYI, Prince’s alma mater was not North, but the now-demolished Central High School).

It is unusual and somewhat brave for a director to screen a work that is still being finished, but director/producer Michael Kirk (credited as, and on IMDB as Kirk Fera) was both in town to do a few last interviews and very much wanted the neighborhood’s opinion of the as-is film, as one of his main objectives was to give the community a collective voice, regarding their own musical favorite son.

The film as we saw it, ran approximately ninety minutes, is told mostly chronologically with some nicely done supplemental animated bits, and is peppered with interview portions from known celebrities (some more apropo than others) such as Chaka Khan, Macy Gray, Orianthi, Dennis Quaid, Public Enemy MC Chuck D, Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger, and Living Colour ex-bassist Muzz Skillings.

Localy-based interviews were done with author and on-air personality Andrea Swensson, journalist Neal Karlen, local DJ Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr, and activist and former director of The Way, Harry “Spike” Moss, with Karlen, Banks, and Moss in attendance for the screening.

As Prince’s star rose and he left Minneapolis to tour the world, so the film leaves the area as well, until near the end when it re-connects with the neighborhood and reveals tentative future plans to re-establish The Way, both here and elsewhere.

Khan (who is also their subject for an upcoming documentary herself) has a good amount of screen time, re-telling the story where she was tricked into going to the studio by Prince over the phone, he masquerading as someone else, and Swensson fills in many details of the developing scene locally, as her 2017 book Got to Be Something Here: The Rise of Minneapolis Sound (Univ of MN Press) begins in the year of Prince’s birth, 1958.

The film’s middle wanders a bit and it tries to wrap his arms around Prince’s global success with some of the interview content more germane to its subject than others, but becomes again compelling as things move full circle back into the neighborhood that spawned him with comments from people like Moss and Banks, that reinforce Prince’s overall value as inspiration to his home community.

“This film explores the man behind the hype – never has a film about Prince included the childhood influences in his life that helped create the genius that he was,” says Kirk in a statement, and it mostly achieves this, though would be unfair to fully review it while it is still in progress.

The documentary’s title itself might be a little confusing to the casual fan, as Mr. Nelson refers to the name Prince first wanted to be known as, before first producer Chris Moon explained to him there was already a more famous Mr. Nelson (Willie), and that his birth name was the natural choice to perform as.

The film will insert a few new interviews and undergo a final editing cut, before it is solicited to streaming, cable, and broadcast channels, with hope for wider and multi-country distribution soon.

Mr. Nelson On the Northside gives a much needed voice to the proud community that helped nurture the talent of a musical one-of-a-kind, a neighborhood that has much to say, but is still rarely asked to speak.

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Sheila E. / Liv Warfield / Donna Grantis / Judith Hill at Paisley Park, Chanhassen (11 March 2019)

Women Who Rock at Paisley Park Sheila E Setlist Funky National Anthem: Message 2 America One Nation Under a Groove/Mothership Connection (Star Child) (Parliament/Funkadelic cover) Get on the Boat (Prince cover) Holly Rock The Belle of St. Mark Mona Lisa Bailar Rockstar with Purple Rain instrumental outro A Love Bizarre with Staples Singers' I'll Take You There snippet If You Want Me to Stay (Sly and the Family Stone cover) America (Prince and the Revolution cover) > Baby. I'm a Star (Prince and the Revolution cover) > The Glamorous Life Judith Hill Setlist Gypsy Lover You Can't Blame Me Queen of the Hill Chasing Rainbows Footsteps As Trains Go By Cry, Cry, Cry Jammin' in the Basement Sheila E Tour Dates Mar 30, 2019 San Carlos, AZ Apache Gold Casino Apr 20, 2019 Hammond, IN Chicago Market Apr 27, 2019 Phoenix, AZ Phoenix Convention Ctr May 26, 2019 Mableton, GA Mable House Barnes Amph May 30, 2019 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE Jun 7, 2019 Yountville, CA Lincoln Theater Jun 9, 2019 Hollywood, CA Playboy Jazz Festival Jun 13, 2019 Las Vegas, NV Ceasar’s Palace Jun 14, 2019 Tulsa, OK Oklahoma State University Jun 26, 2019 Pleasanton, CA Alameda County Fair Jun 27, 2019 Seattle, WA Suquamish Clearwater Casino Jul 13, 2019 Ontario, Canada Bluesfest Windsor July 20, 2019 Los Angeles, CA Pershing Square Aug 16, 2019 Louisville, KY Kentucky State Fair Sep 14, 2019 Concord, CA Concord Pavillion Oct 3, 2019 New York, NY Sony Hall Oct 4, 2019 Pittsburgh, PA TBA Oct 5, 2019 Washington, DC Howard Theater Dec 12, 2019 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue Liv Warfield Tour Dates Apr 21 City Winery Boston Apr 23 City Winery Chicago Donna Grantis Tour Dates Mar 28 Dakota Jazz Club Minneapolis, MN Judith Hill Tour Dates Apr 18 Müpa Budapest Budapest, Hungary Read More Sheila E. Night Four of Super Bowl Live, the free concert series on Nicollet Mall in anticipation of Sunday’s Super Bowl LII game… Monday, January 29, 2018 SALUTE TO PRINCE 4:00 pm DJ Dudley D 8:00 pm Sheila E. 8:30 p.m. Morris Day and the Time 9:15 p.m. The Revolution … Liv Warfield All corners filled as the pre-show festivities started just after 10pm, with an hour-plus of music featuring singers Shelby J, Liv Warfield, and Elisa (Fiorello) Dease doing a short set ... Donna Grantis from Shelby J, to Liv Warfield, Marva King, Kip Blackshire, Elisa Fiorillo Dease and Judith Hill and musicians like Donna Grantis and Ida Nielsen, guitarist Mike Scott, Levi Seacer Jr. and 90’s members Michael Bland, Tommy Barbarella ... Judith Hill Midnight: members of the invited media (Star Tribune, Fox9, City Pages, The Current) are escorted back to Paisley’s Studio A, for what turns out to be an introduction to singer Judith Hill, a preview of her new music, and some Q+A. … Shelby J The spirited encore started with a non-stop medley of hits anchored by Shelby J, Prince returning to the stage just as ‘Dancing Machine’ finished and launching into a...

Pink was added to the familiar Purple at Paisley Park as International Womens Day extended past the Friday and the weekend, to welcome a marathon concert and first-ever all-female musical event held on the grounds.

The occasion was #WomenWhoRock, a mostly private, invite-only event sponsored by business-to-business tech company SAP that brought together on the same stage for the very first time Judith Hill, Donna Grantis, Liv Warfield and Sheila E., with Shelby J serving as the evening’s emcee.

Less than five hundred people attended the well-run five-hour event, the majority being SAP employees (local, national and international) with everyone being bused in from the local high school, so as not to clog up the streets around the studio complex, for an evening that celebrated women in a manner, that despite the corporate auspices, Prince would have surely approved of.

After some requisite short speeches, the evening’s entertainment began with a forty-five minute set from Judith Hill and band (including her mother on organ and father on bass), “It's so good to be back- I have literally not been on this stage in three years, so it's an emotional night” Hill said, starting things with the funky groove of ‘Gypsy Lover’ from recent self-released album, Golden Child which came out last November.

The upbeat funk continued with ‘Don’t Blame Me’, which featured a classic rhythm guitar riff and outro’d with the Michael Jackson/Sly Stone mash of ‘Don’t Stop ('til You Get Enough)/ ‘I Want to Take You Higher’ before things momentarily slowed down as Hill took to piano for ballads ‘Chasing Rainbows’ and ‘Footsteps’.

“A revolution is upon us” the taped intro to ‘As Trains Go By’ declared, and perhaps thinking of the Purple One, she said “Before it gets better, you gotta cry, cry, cry a little bit longer before the sunshine comes out” before the bluesy ‘Cry, Cry, Cry’ from her Prince-produced 2015 album. “All the purple love in this building, it's infectious!” she added towards the end of her abbreviated set.

3^rd Eye Girl guitarist Donna Grantis has new music forthcoming with solo album Diamonds and Dyanamite (on eOne Records) due out April 5 and entertained the crowd with forty minutes of instrumental jazz/rock/funk/fusion. It was an ideal case of “let the music do the talking” as Grantis and band shifted styles effortlessly as the songs demanded, unleashing thunder on new tracks like ‘Trashformer’ with her drummer being the band’s not-so-secret weapon, showing considerable chops.

Liv Warfield and band were next, supercharging things right out of the gate, celebrating her 2014 album The Unexpected (on 1860 Property) finally being available on all major digital platforms with a blistering version of the title track, which sprang from Prince’s own version called ‘Wow’.

Making the most of her forty-five minutes, her raucous version of Buddy Miles’ 1970 song ‘Them Changes’ revved up the Paisley crowd along with her own ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Why Do You Lie?’ Longtime guitarist Ryan Waters (also a touring member of Sade’s band Sweetback) continued to be the yang to her musical yin, and the rest of the band was impressively solid as well.

Shelby J didn’t have a set of her own, but when DJ Michael Holtz played Prince’s ‘Chelsea Rodgers’ that originally featured her on the track, she couldn’t help but ask out loud, “Is that my song?” proceeding to sing along at full volume. And it has to be said that the soundstage at Paisley remains one of the best sounding spaces in the metro, a continuing testament to Prince’s musical determination for excellence.

Sheila E’s hour-long closing set began in the most patriotic way, with her ’Funky National Anthem: Message 2 America’ starting things as band members marched out one by one, followed by a taste of some George Clinton P-funk.

Prince’s ‘Get on the Boat’ was played early and she asked if anyone remembered Krush Groove before going into ‘Holly Rock’ from the 1986 movie. She cheekily re-titled her own ‘Mona Lisa’ as ‘Mona Lisa for SAP at Paisley Today Cha-Cha-Cha’ surely to the corporate sponsor’s delight, then brought ten fans on stage to dance along to her recent single, ‘Bailar’.

Strapping on a guitar, Sheila walked through the smiling crowd for a bubbly ‘Rockstar’ ending it with an instrumental portion of ‘Purple Rain’ then gave an emotional speech about choosing love and valuing what you might lose. From there, things turned more upbeat with signature song, ‘A Love Bizarre’ and a Sly Stone cover that showcased backup singers Lynn Mabry and Rebecca Jade.

“We have a curfew at Paisley?! That' ain't right… Tyka! Sing fast?! All right...” she said, seeing that time was running crucially short, running breakneck into versions of Prince’s ‘America’ and ‘Baby, I’m a Star’ as the other ladies joined on stage, with Sheila shouting, “I'm not done! Somebody scream!” ending the set and the evening, with ‘The Glamorous Life’.

Prince sang “I'll have your love in the end, soul of my soul, and God created woman” and on this special night at the iconic Paisley Park (which felt like a mini-Celebration concert), not only was the purple spirit alive, but also that of the #WomenWhoRock.

(all photos provided by SAP - click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)

Donna Grantis

Liv Warfield

Judith Hill

Judith Hill

Liv Warfield

Liv Warfield

Donna Grantis

Sheila E

Shelby J

Shelby J

Sheila E

Sheila E

Sheila E

Women Who Rock at Paisley Park, Chanhassen (11 March 2019)

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: December 10 to December 15, 2018

Sheile E at First Ave Read More Sheila E. Night Four of Super Bowl Live, the free concert series on Nicollet Mall in anticipation of Sunday’s Super Bowl LII game… Monday, January 29, 2018 SALUTE TO PRINCE 4:00 pm DJ Dudley D 8:00 pm Sheila E. 8:30 p.m. Morris Day and the Time 9:15 p.m. The Revolution …

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from December 10 to December 15, 2018.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

SHEILA E.
First Avenue
Wed 12/12/2018 (7pm/$45)
first-avenue.com

We’re big Prince fans, so we’re always happy to keep an eye out for any purple-related artist, such as drummer Sheila E. (Sheila Escovedo) headlining First Avenue’s main room on December 12th.

Before the age of 20, she was already jamming with George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Con Funk Shun, Marvin Gaye (on his final world tour), Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Patti LaBelle, Steve Nicks, and, of course, Prince.

No opening band listed.

Tour Dates:

12/12/2018 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
03/02/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/03/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/04/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/05/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/06/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/07/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/08/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/09/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL

Other shows in the area:

XIII Arrows at 7th Street Richard Thompson at First Ave Larkin Poe 2018 Tour Amber Run 2018 Tour Jordan Carr at 7th Street Mason Jennings: Race You To The Light Read More Mason Jennings Local pop/folk singer Mason Jennings has a two-night residency at First Avenue this December 5 and 6th. The thing about him is that he has a very distinctive voice... and he will definitely be playing some tracks off his 2011 .…

XIII ARROWS
+ The Push, Shamble Town Rebels
7th Street Entry
Mon 12/10/2018 (7pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

Minneapolis’ XIII Arrows (Mike Borell, Eddie Rickert, John Rickert, Harrison Kohler Wood) or 13 Arrows for non-Roman readers is headlining the 7th Street Entry on Monday, December 10th. The Push and Shamble Town Rebels to open.

RICHARD THOMPSON
+ Logan Ledger
First Avenue
Tue 12/11/2018 (7:30pm/$15)
first-avenue.com

Richard Thompson, billed as Richard Thompson Electric Trio will be arriving to the mainroom at First Avenue on Tuesday, December 11th. Thompson’s new album 13 Rivers is available now on New West Records.

Tour dates:

12/05/2018 Headliners Music Hall Louisville, KY
12/11/2018 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
12/15/2018 Queen Elizabeth Theatre Toronto, ON

LARKIN POE
+ Goodnight, Texas
7th Street Entry
Thu 12/13/2018 (7pm/$22/Sold Out)
first-avenue.com

Nashville-based sister duo Larkin Poe will be opening up for Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band at the Xcel Energy Center the night before (December 12th).

Fans can get a more intimate show with Larkin Poe and Goodnight, Texas at the 7th Street Entry on December 13th. The show is sold out.

Larkin Poe’s third album Venom & Faith (Tricki-Woo Records).

Tour Dates:

12/8 - The Burl - Lexington, KY
12/9 - Old Rock House - St. Louis, MO
12/10 - Knuckleheads - Kansas City, MO
12/12 - Xcel Energy Arena - St. Paul, MN
12/13 - 7th St. Entry - Minneapolis, MN
12/14 - Allstate Arena - Rosemont, IL
12/15 - SPACE - Evanston, IL
12/17 - El Club - Detroit, MI
12/18 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
12/20 - Bon Secours - Greenville, SC
12/21 - Booth Playhouse - Charlotte, NC
12/22 - Infinite Energy - Duluth, GA
12/31 - Terminal West - Atlanta, GA
1/5 - Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI
1/9 - Huntington Center - Toledo, OH
1/11 - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN
1/15 - Allen County War Memorial - Fort Wayne, IN
1/19 - Nationwide Arena - Columbus, OH
1/22 - Peoria Civic Center - Peoria, IL
1/26 - Denny Sanford Premier Center - Sioux Falls, SD
2/20 - EXIT/IN - Nashville, TN
2/22 - The Brew Brothers - Reno, NV
2/23 - TEDxUniversityofNevada - Reno, NV
2/23 - The Brew Brothers - Reno, NV
2/25 - Keeping The Blues Alive - Tampa, FL

AMBER RUN
+ Ellevator
Cedar Cultural Center
Fri 12/14/2018 (7pm/$15)
thecedar.org

British trio Amber Run (Joe Keogh, Tomas Sperring, and Henry Wyeth) will be at the Cedar Cultural Center on December 14th.

Canada’s Ellevator (Elliott Gwynne, Michael Boyd, Nabi Sue Bersche & Tyler Bersche) is listed on their tour poster as opener.

Tour dates:

12/06 - The Foundry - Philadelphia, PA
12/07 - Rock & Roll Hotel - Washington D.C.
12/08 - Music Hall - Brooklyn, NY
12/09 - Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA
12/11- Velvet Underground - Toronto, CAN
12/13 - Lincoln Hall - Chicago, IL
12/14 - Cedar Cultural Center - Minneapolis, MN

JORDAN CARR & THE BOYS
+ Supportive Parents, Bird Streets
7th Street Entry
Fri 12/14/2018 (7:30pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

Jordan Carr & The Boys will be headlining the 7th Street Entry on Friday, December 14th. Supportive Parents and Bird Streets will open.

If you didn’t know, Bird Streets is the stagename of Brooklyn-based musician John Brodeur. We actually caught Brodeur, when he was performing under his name, in April 2011, and said, “In contrast to the full Humbugs band, John Brodeur was very minimalistic with his one-man show. It's kind of interesting to see Brodeur playing all the acoustic, loops, beat boxing, tambourine, etc., all in real-time.”

This time around, as Bird Streets, he will be accompanied with a live band.

Bird Streets Tour Dates:

Dec. 7 - Albany, N.Y. - The Hollow
Dec. 9 - Washington, D.C. - Songbyrd Vinyl Lounge
Dec. 10 - Columbus, Ohio - Tree Bar
Dec. 11 - St. Louis, Mo. - Ready Room
Dec. 12 - Davenport, Iowa - Raccoon Motel
Dec. 13 - Milwaukee, Wisc. - Cactus Club
Dec. 14 - Minneapolis - 7th Street Entry
Dec. 15 - Chicago - Moe’s Tavern
Dec. 16 - Detroit - Outer Limits Lounge

MASON JENNINGS
+ Tiny Deaths
First Avenue
Sat 12/15/2018 (7pm/$25)
first-avenue.com

Local singer Mason Jennings is headlining First Avenue in Minneapolis on Saturday, December 15th. Jennings new album Songs From When We Met came out on May 11, 2018.

Show up early to check out local band Tiny Deaths. The duo (Claire de Lune and Grant Cutler) just released a new album called Magic.

Details about the show:

Mason Jennings with tiny deaths at First Avenue

Tickets → bit.ly/2PDG9oE
General Admission:
$25.00 advance | $30.00 day of show
18+ / ID Required

vu (vu@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Low Cut Connie w/ Ruby Boots at First Avenue, Minneapolis (01 Nov 2018)

Low Cut Connie at First Ave Low Cut Connie Setlist All These Kids Are Way Too High Back In School Boozophilia Death and Destruction Dirty Water Who the Hell is Tina? / Shake It Little Tina Beverly Revolution Rock n Roll Big Thighs, NJ Oh Suzanne Hey! Little Child (Alex Chilton cover) Ain't No Grave (Brother Claude Ely cover) Rio -- Encore -- Wild Ride Free Girl Now (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover) Controversy (Prince cover) Ruby Boots Setlist I'll Make It Through It’s So Cruel Infatuation Don’t Talk About It I Am A Woman Somebody Else Believe in Heaven Tour Dates 11/09/2018 Globe Hall Denver, CO 11/12/2018 Dada Dallas Dallas, TX 11/13/2018 The Mohawk Austin, TX 11/14/2018 The Mohawk Austin, TX 11/17/2018 Gasa Gasa New Orleans, LA 11/18/2018 The Basement East Nashville, TN Read More Low Cut Connie Low Cut Connie (Adam Weiner, James Everhart, Will Donnelly, Larry Scotton, and Lucas Rinz) will be in town in support of their latest Dirty Pictures (Part 1) via Contender Records. … Ruby Boots Show up early to check out Ruby Boots; she was last seen in town on June 2018. Ruby is an Australian, but based in Nashville, Tennessee. Fans of Nikki Lane should take note, as Lane co-wrote/sang on some of her songs. …

Like the pink wave of the midterm elections a few days following, at a crowded First Avenue Mainroom in downtown Minneapolis, the night was completely owned by three “females”- “Ruby”, “Connie”, and “Shondra”.

The “Ruby” was mesmerizingly filled by Ruby Boots, a Perth, Australia by-way-of Nashville country/Americana/outlaw rock band led by the sassy and effervescent Rebecca “Bex” Chilcott, in support of their latest Bloodshot Records full-length, Don’t Talk About It … but talking about it was all most people in my vicinity were doing, after their powerful forty-minute opening set.

“This is a song about stalkers...three of them”, she said, launching into ‘Infatuation’ whose carefree strumming and uptempo countered any potentially dark lyrics. The new album’s title track was played next, making good use of slide and Chilcott’s appropriate verse, sung with a slight twang and reminding us that “our world's been divided, all that’s left are these hooks”.

‘I Am a Woman’ was done sparsely but empowered by a solo Chilcott, and the closing ‘Believe in Heaven’ turned all the amp volume up, with Chilcott and band optimistically taking us to “the edge of the world, wishing on a star”, leaving her admittedly in “the best mood ever”, and encouraging one and all to come say hello following the set.

“When a guy in Minnesota goes to one of our shows and tells his friends we were the best live band he saw in five years, we need to be back there again in six months. That’s all we got”, Low Cut Connie singer Adam Weiner told the Philadelphia Inquirer last fall, and that’s been the case since local record impresario GoJohnnyGo Kass first helped bring in the Philly band to town in early 2016.

Follow up gigs at increasingly larger rooms have only exponentially increased the local fan base and buzz, culminating in a memorable opening set in the heat and humidity of this past July’s Rock the Garden, a record store appearance just a few weeks later that transformed the retail outlet into the feel of a hot house juke joint, and this stomping eighty-minute good time, inside a crowded Mainroom.

Weiner wasted no time showcasing his piano acrobatics, dressed in bright red patterned jacket, white tank top, chain necklaces, and suspendered black pants, jumping on the top of his battered but still-warm sounding upright piano named “Shondra”(named after an elderly Atlanta stripper), stretching wide along the piano bench and pounding the keys like The Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis in his 50’s heyday.

“Come on, we gotta drink it up!” Weiner yelled, going into the band’s biggest hit to date, early on, ‘Boozophilia’ and most in the crowd took the hint, ordering another drink or two. The rest of the band (James Everhart; Will Donnelley; Larry Scotton; Lucas Rinz; and recent addition backup singer Saundra Williams) remained tight but loose, all clearly enjoying themselves and the night’s very responsive crowd.

The new albums come up in two parts on the band’s own label- Dirty Pictures (Parts 1 & 2) on the groups’ own Contender Records, but the live setting is really where the songs evolve and flourish.

Like Weiner’s picture on the show poster, the songs came rapidly and unrelenting, like a prize fighter landing uppercut after body blow after jab, with the crowd loving every minute and swinging and swaying along to their East Coast blend of rock, soul, blues, and bar/garage rock.

The late 70’s Alex Chilton cover of ‘Hey! Little Child’ especially went down especially well, with the call-and-response chorus yelled back to the band, Weiner climbing on the piano, and all the numerous Chilton and Big Star fans in the crowd, happily chanting along.

Williams then took everyone to church, taking lead with a rousing Brother Claude Ely cover as Weiner went on his knees while still playing the piano with head increasingly backwards as Williams’ voice soared into the rafters, letting loose a stray piece of confetti or two, to float down from a show probably weeks ago.

The encore began with a brand new song, ‘Wild Ride’ before the band paid musical tribute to two legends recently lost, Tom Petty with a driving ‘Free Girl Now’, and Prince, with their hyper cover of his ‘Controversy’ that almost demands you wear a seat belt before experiencing it live.

(click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)

Ruby Boots

Low Cut Connie 2018 Tour Poster

Ruby Boots

Ruby Boots

Ruby Boots

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie at First Avenue, Minneapolis (01 Nov 2018)

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Prince - Honorary Degree Ceremony at Ted Mann Hall, University of Minnesota (26 Sept 2018)

Honoring Prince Honoring Prince Program Of Events Performance Medley: 1999 / I Wanna Be Your Lover / Controversy / Let’s Work Welcome Remarks: Michael Kim, Director of The School of Music Remarks: Elliott Powell- Asst Professor, Dept of American Studies Performance Medley: Little Red Corvette / Nothing Compares 2 U Remarks: John J Coleman, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Presentation of The Candidate: Eric W Kaler, President of The University of Minnesota Conferral of Degree: Darrin Rosha, University of Minnesota Regent Acceptance Speech: Tyka Nelson Performance Medley: I Would Die 4 U / Baby I’m a Star Closing Remarks: John J Coleman, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Performance: Purple Rain (Tyka Nelson on vocals) Read More Prince The two big shows on this date will be the Prince Tribute Concert (featuring Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan) at Xcel Energy Center and Sia at Target Center. … New Power Generation Shelby J, Liv Warfield, and Elisa (Fiorello) Dease doing a short set each, backed by all-female band 3rd Eye Girl and the well-dressed 11pc. New Power Generation horns. ..…

There’s a new doctor in the house – and he’s purple and funky…!

Prior to Prince’s untimely death in 2016, the University of Minnesota had been preparing to present him with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, the University’s highest honor. This was an idea presented to him while he was still alive, and his purported response was one word back, “Cool”.

The honorary degree was presented recently at the Ted Mann Concert Hall on the university campus, recognizing distinctive achievement that has materially added to knowledge, and is in recognition of Prince’s remarkable talent, enduring influence in music, and his role in shaping the city of Minneapolis.

The Chamber Strings from the University Symphony Orchestra and their own Jazz Ensemble I (both under the direction of Dean Sorenson) were joined on stage The Minneapolis Funk All Stars led by Family/F-Deluxe singer/bassist St. Paul Peterson. Joining him was guitarist Jellybean Johnson (Family/The Time); keyboardist Tommy Barbarella (NPG), drummer Kirk Johnson (NPG) and vocalist Cameron Kinghorn.

The evening began with a four-song Prince medley with songs culled from the early 80’s, inducing an immediate celebratory spirit which brought the crowd up on their feet, clapping and singing along. Nelson family members were in attendance including Omar and half-sister Sharon, along with university dignitaries, and the lucky fans that managed to RSVP before the public access quickly closed after reaching capacity.

Director of the School of Music Michael Kim next welcomed everyone to the evening, and made introductory remarks, including his own personal connection to the night’s subject. Asst. Professor Elliott Powell then made the case for Prince and his music being an instrument of social change, reflecting timely issues in songs like ‘Baltimore’, ‘Controversy’, and ’The United States of Division’.

The band fired up again for a faithful ‘Little Red Corvette’ and St. Paul took center stage for one of his favorites to sing- ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, a song made most famous by Sinead O’Connor, but one first given by Prince to The Family to record.

Dean of The College of Liberal Arts John Coleman made his remarks, followed by The University of Minnesota’s President, Eric W. Kaler, who presided over the presentation of the candidate (with sister Tyka Nelson accepting on Prince’s behalf) and the conferral of the degree ceremony, along with University Regent Darrin Rosha.

The band then resumed for a Purple Rain-era two-fer of ‘I Would Die 4 U / Baby I’m a Star’ as video images and captioned song lyrics filled the video screen behind the musicians. Coleman returned briefly with closing remarks, then (somewhat surprisingly) Tyka Nelson retook to the stage, full of emotion from the evening, to sing the closing number, ‘Purple Rain’, pointing to the sky as Johnson cut loose with the song’s signature guitar solo.

Though Prince never did attend college, he did play at the University (at Northrop Auditorium in 2000 for the first Celebration event) and from the night’s comments, seemed open to receiving this highly prestigious honor from the university- they apparently first offered up the idea in the early ‘90’s, only to have him change his name to that unpronounceable symbol shortly after, which in part, tabled the idea until it was resurrected just a few years ago.

While there was some air of somberness that he would not be present, the evening was overall more celebratory and joyful in spirit and everyone in attendance, was undoubtedly happy to have been present to witness Prince receiving his Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

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Minneapolis Funk All Stars

Tyka Degree

John Coleman

Michael Kim

Elliott Powell

Cameron Kinghorn

Jellybean with Jazz Ensemble

Tommy Barbarella

Jellybean Johnson

Kirk Johnson

Honoring Prince

Tyka with St. Paul Peterson

Honoring Prince at Mann Hall, University of Minnesota (26 Sep 2018)

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

New Power Generation at First Avenue and Intercontinental Hotel, Minneapolis (13 and 14 Sept 2018)

NPG at First Ave First Avenue Setlist (09/13) New Power Generation Sexy M.F. Love 2 the 9's The Max Arrogance Cream Sign “☮” the Times U Got The Look Tommy Barbarella piano solo > (incl Anastasia, When 2R in Love, How Come U Don’t You Call Me Anymore) with Apollo Jane Nothing Compares 2 U Diamonds and Pearls Money Don't Matter 2Night Willing and Able Deuce & a Quarter / Call the Law Daddy Pop 7 (acoustic) Love... Thy Will Be Done 2gether Jughead with Cobi I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man Live 4 Love D.M.S.R. Get Wild The Good Life The Morning Papers The Cross Gett Off 1999 Purple Rain Kiss The Sacrifice of Victor -- Encore -- Funkify (new song) with Cobi The Ride Peach Alphabet St. Intercontinental Hotel Setlist (09/14) New Power Generation Sexy M.F. Love 2 the 9's Cream Sign “☮” the Times U Got The Look Nothing Compares 2U 7 Willing and Able Money Don't Matter 2 Night Deuce & a Quarter / Call the Law Daddy Pop Love... Thy Will Be Done I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man Take Me with U Raspberry Beret The Good Life D.M.S.R. The Cross Gett Off 1999 Let’s Go Crazy Purple Rain Funkify Kiss Alphabet St. Read More New Power Generation Shelby J, Liv Warfield, and Elisa (Fiorello) Dease doing a short set each, backed by all-female band 3rd Eye Girl and the well-dressed 11pc. New Power Generation horns. ..… Mayte Prince’s first wife Mayte, reprised the sword and bellydance performance that first caught Prince’s eye years ago, leading appropriately into ‘7’, which also found The Twinz dancing about the stage with her. ..… Cobi Cobi, a Grand Marais, MN native who was once in the Boston indie-pop band Gentleman Hall opened the day’s entertainment on this front stage …

“Love is there if you'd just open up to it. If you'd just believe, your whole world would change” - Prince, ‘New Power Generation’

Fans still mourn the loss of local legend Prince, some two years later, but the mood was all celebration and joy as his noteworthy band of the 1990’s, The New Power Generation filled the Mainroom at First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis for a nearly three-hour long musical tribute to their departed bandleader.

In this, their first area appearance since a brief and frigid set outside for February’s Super Bowl LII festivities and two intimate jazz club nights that weekend, the band has become more fine-tuned, honed by an abroad spring/summer tour of Europe, Australia, and Japan. 

While the band can have a rotating lineup depending on schedules, the core members (Morris Hayes- MD/keys; Tony Mosley- guitar/vocals; Damon Dickson- percussion/vocals; Tommy Barbarella- keyboards; Levi Seacer Jr.- guitar and Sonny Thompson- bass) were all present for this special show.

Also joining on for the evening (which sold tickets at a purple-friendly price of $31.21 and beamed worldwide as a PPV webcast) were recent Prince musical collaborator Keith Anderson (sax) and the Hornheadz horn section, Mint Condition guitarist Homer O'Dell, Los Angeles-based, Minnesota raised blues/soul singer-guitarist Cobi, and dancer (and Prince’s first ex-wife) Mayte Garcia.

The newest band addition is official lead singer MacKenzie - an LA-based singer from a small town in Virginia, who was discovered by the NPG’s manager and Mr. Hayes, via the Jammcard app that networks professional musicians. MacKenzie (somewhat ironically, the tallest band member on stage) to his credit, does not try to imitate Prince, but interprets the songs in his own way (sometimes more Terrance Trent Darby-esque), while keeping them authentic and familiar to the fans.

The “evening with” set began as it only could, with the 1990 namesake song of the band that Prince used for the Graffiti Bridge soundtrack, followed quickly behind by the still-scandalous ‘Sexy M.F.’, with its profanity-laden chorus that a later Jehovah’s Witness Prince, would all but disown.

Mayte would emerge for ‘Love 2 the 9’s’ and ‘The Max’, first fully veiled and covered, but quickly discarding that to reveal her familiar interpretive moves while MCs Tony M and Damon Dickson kept things throwback and “funky fresh for the 90s”. Original NPG background vocalist DuJuan Blackshire joined in for ‘Sign “☮” the Times’, one of a handful of somewhat surprising pre-NPG era songs that the band would cover during the evening.

The band took a restful breath as Tommy Barbarella’s piano medley led into a couple of duets between MacKenzie and wife Apollo Jane, a formidable singer in her own right. Tony M and Dickson took center stage for their turn on ‘Deuce and a Quarter/Call the Law’, a medley from the NPG’s own 1993 album and ‘Daddy Pop’ originally done a year earlier for Prince’s ‘Diamonds and Pearls’.

Mayte re-joined the group during an acoustic ‘7’, lithely slinking about as the song’s verses progressed, balancing a sabre on her head and body, and ‘Love Thy Will Be Done’, a song Prince gave to Martika for her second album, was a fine showcase of MacKenzie’s soul and gospel tinged vocals.

Like a breath of musical fresh air, Los Angeles-based (but Grand Marais, MN raised) singer-songwriter Cobi then jumped on stage for the first two of four well-chosen songs, re-energizing the crowd with his rock-n-roll version of ‘I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man’ and showcasing his blues growl and guitar abilities on 1991’s ‘Live 4 Love’.

Bassist Sonny T. would his take his turn on lead vocals for the NPG’s ‘The Good Life’, a reminder that Prince considered him his biggest bass influence, working with him first on an early Lewis Connection track in the mid-70s. “We’re so glad to be back home tonight to pay homage, honor, and respect to the Purple One” MacKenzie told the crowd before the band struck the first chords of his favorite song of the catalog, 1987’s ‘The Cross’.

It was admittedly a little strange to see this configuration play pre-NPG hits like ‘1999’, ‘Purple Rain’, and ‘Kiss’ though playing them originally in concert tours from 1990-1996, gives them as much of a right as any, to feature these iconic songs in their setlist, and the crowd enjoyed the celebratory versions.

The end of the show deviated slightly from the setlist, with the new ‘Funkify’ beginning the encore and perhaps the first sign of a new album to come. 

Cobi then returned for the most blues-laden track of the evening, ‘The Ride’- an old school 12-bar number perfectly catered to Cobi’s wheelhouse and a nice showcase for his guitar work, followed by a group jam on ‘Peach’ before everything came to a close with Lovesexy’s ‘Alphabet Street’.

The next evening found most of the band still in town, playing a second-floor ballroom as part of the airport-connected InterContinental Hotel Grand Opening. 

Missing Barbarella, Mayte, and the horn section (except for Anderson), the band still powered through a hundred-minute set of favorites, reprising much of the previous night, but adding in ’Let’s Go Crazy’ towards the end which kept the mostly middle-age and corporate crowd on the parquet dancefloor with their complimentary champagne, cheering on the band.

MacKenzie jumped down into the crowd a couple times and the ballroom atmosphere was more intimate and loose than any perceived pressure of the webcast the night before, and the mix of hotel guests, sponsors, and business dressed invitees all danced along to the songs everyone knew so well.

Twenty five years later, The New Power Generation has returned, to celebrate and honor their lost bandleader, and to (re)introduce that period of Prince’s music to a new generation. 

Whether or not they still “want to change the world” with possible new music forthcoming, is yet to be seen, but all the purple faithful will undoubtedly be watching, singing, and dancing along, and answering their call to “come join is on the floor”.

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First Avenue Poster (1)

First Avenue Poster (2)

First Avenue Setlist

Intercontinental Hotel Setlist

NPG (09/13)

New Power Generation (with Mayte) at First Avenue, Minneapolis (13 Sept 2018)

MacKenzie (09/13)

Cobi (09/13)

Mayte (09/13)

MacKenzie with Apollo Jane (09/13)

NPG with Sonny T (09/13)

New Power Generation at First Avenue, Minneapolis (13 Sept 2018)

Tony Mosely (09/13)

Morris Hayes and Hornheadz (09/13)

NPG (09/13)

Levi Seacer Jr (09/13)

NPG at Intercontinental Hotel (09/14)

New Power Generation at Intercontinental Hotel, Minneapolis (14 Sept 2018)

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Basilica Block Party - Day One at Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis (06 July 2018)

Basilica Block Party: Friday Friday Lineup Great Clips Stage Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit John Butler Trio Delta Rae Tabah PreferredOne Stage Fitz And The Tantrums The Revolution Now, Now Star Tribune Stage Lady Lark Kid Dakota Lena Elizabeth Jason Isbell Setlist Hope The High Road 24 Frames White Man's World Decoration Day (Drive-By Truckers song) Alabama Pines Cumberland Gap Tupelo Last of My Kind Traveling Alone Super 8 Something More Than Free Stockholm Flying Over Water Cover Me Up Anxiety Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers song) If We Were Vampires John Butler Trio Setlist Wade In The Water Hidey Hoe Better Than Betterman Blame It On Me Coffee, Methadone + Cigarettes Just Call > Pickapart Ocean (John solo) Don't Wanna See Your Face Livin' In The City Losing You Zebra Fitz And The Tantrums Setlist Get Right Back Spark Don't Gotta Work It Out Out of My League Run It Break the Walls Walking Target Complicated Fool Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (Eurythmics cover) Fools Gold MoneyGrabber Roll Up Burn It Down L.O.V. -- Encore -- HandClap 6 A.M. The Walker The Revolution Setlist America Computer Blue Mountains Let's Work Let's Go Crazy When Doves Cry Raspberry Beret 1999 Purple Rain I Would Die 4 U Baby I'm a Star Read More Basilica Block Party We like the annual Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis, so we always make sure they get the spotlight whenever we do these previews. They always bring in some really good bands ....

God again smiled down and awarded everyone one of the best weather weekends of the summer--

On their annual pilgrimage to The Basilica of Saint Mary in downtown Minneapolis, thousands of fans descended on the church grounds for an early July musical tradition- the two-day Basilica Block Party. 

The festival began in 1995 as a fundraiser to help pay for the structural restoration of The Basilica and today, proceeds from the event benefit The Basilica Landmark, which preserves, restores, and advances it for all generations. In addition, a portion of all proceeds go to The Basilica’s St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, which provides services to those in need.

Ten acts were spread across three stages for each night- the Main Stage (sponsored by Great Clips) located in a back lot behind the building along the highway, a Church Stage (sponsored by Preferred One) out front, and a smaller local stage (sponsored by Star Tribune) .

Star Tribune Local Stage

Lena Elizabeth (Bredeson) was the weekend’s first act on the local stage, a folk-pop singer-songwriter who uses a baritone ukulele to craft songs like on her debut EP, The Line, and newest single ‘Loaded Gun’. Sounding like a cross between Brandi Carlile and Lissie, she can musically surprise with an unexpected but delightful turn.

Kid Dakota is a name fairly well known to area audiences, as it is the musical moniker of Darren Jackson, supporting new album Denervation (Graveface Records) and performing with a drummer accompanying him.  The indie-rocker has a loyal local following, even prompting a PledgeMusic reissue of his initial 2000 EP So Pretty.

Lady Lark is a local pop/R&B /Funk artist (aka Taylor Harris) that recalls shades of Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu that was part of last year’s City Pages Picked to Click Best New Artists and turned the small staging area into a private celebratory dance party. 

Preferred One Church Stage

Now, Now has become more of a national name of late, but had its start fifteen years ago in Blaine, MN as classmates Cacie Dalager and Bradley Hale met over similar musical tastes in high school.  They released their third studio album, Saved (Trans Records) in May, and opened with ‘SGL’ as well as played newest singles ‘MJ’ and ‘AZ’ (a penchant for initials?), along with older favorites. 

The indie-rock band has very positively grown since their earlier days (with …”Every Children” in their name) and the somewhat dour but bright-pink haired Dalager was seen with a big smile of her face in the late afternoon sun, as she and bandmates walked in unison with guitars. 

The Revolution is always a joy to see, playing Prince-penned favorites from 1983-85 that the band originally played on, getting the crowd into it from the very first notes of their opening track, ‘America’. 

The band’s musical chops continue to be in top form (a discipline drilled into them by the Purple One) and Stokely from Mint Condition again joined the group about half way in, to continue the party, ending the hour-long celebration with ‘Purple Rain’ and “I Would Die 4 U/Baby I’m a Star’. 

Fitz and the Tantrums have become almost an annual tradition like the event itself, appearing here numerous times over the last few years and with good reason; as they remain one of the best live bands around, headed by vocalist Michael Fitzpatrick, co-vocalist Noelle Scaggs, and multi-instrumentalist James King.   

The Los Angeles indie-pop band (that still refuses to use a guitar) remains riding high from 2016’s self-titled (Elektra Records) full-length- their most successful to date- getting the crowd involved, transforming the church’s front lawn into a disco of sorts, and even working in an Eurythmics cover, into their eighty-five minute set. 

Great Clips Main Stage

TABAH is a local four-piece eclectic ensemble led by vocalist Cecelia Erholtz that plays somewhat trippy folk alt-rock that stretches in the sound spectrum from an ethereal quietness, to a louder, slightly psych head trip, and who have a full-length debut, Symmetry Somewhere, out now.

Delta Rae are station favorites and a Durham, NC folk rock band consisting of six members composed of three siblings, feature two co-vocalists and are happily about to release their next album. In advance of this, the sextet played several new songs as well as favorites like biggest hit ‘If I Loved You’ and worked in Whitney Houston and Florence + the Machine covers into their originals, impressing early into their set, with a harmonic pitch-perfect version of ‘Seven Bridges Road’. 

The group has also booked a fall sixteen-week weekly residency at small Nashville club The Basement and also heads out on tour, (not formally announced yet, but) stopping by the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown, in early December. 

John Butler Trio always impresses live with their unique blend of Australian roots rock and musical dexterity playing live.  Together with bassist Byron Luiters and drummer Grant Gerathy (and now two additional musicians), Butler charmed with not only how seamlessly he played guitar, lap steel, and banjo, but with the stories he told between songs, that connected them even more with the entranced audience. 

The quintet previewed several songs from their upcoming album (the first since 2014’s Flesh + Blood) and re-invented older JBT songs like ‘Betterman’’ and ‘Zebra’ with the additional musical firepower. 

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit returned to play the Basilica again (having shared the bill with Wilco three years ago) playing the well-deserved headlining set of the evening- a stellar ninety-minutes culled from his half-dozen solo albums, along with a couple songs from his former band, The Drive-By Truckers. 

Though busy with her own career and promotion of an upcoming album of her own (To the Sunset, out August 3), wife Amanda Shires took the time to appear as part of the band, with compelling fiddle playing and harmonies of her own, and Isbell was visibly glad to have her on board, often looking lovingly in her direction as they played. 

The Americana alt-country singer and band were razor sharp, especially on tracks culled from latest release, last June’s The Nashville Sound (Southeastern Records), starting their set with the rocking ‘Hope the High Road’ and ending the evening with a hushed and mesmerizing duet with Shires on ‘If We Were Vampires’. 

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DJs Keri Noble, Greg Thunder

DJ Paul Fletcher

Kid Dakota

Now, Now

Now, Now

Now, Now

Now, Now

Now, Now

The Revolution

The Revolution

The Revolution

The Revolution

The Revolution

Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrums

Delta Rae

Delta Rae

Delta Rae

Delta Rae

John Butler Trio

John Butler Trio

John Butler Trio

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Basilica Block Party, Basilica of St. Mary (06 July 2018)

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Chaka Khan at Weesner Family Amphitheater, MN Zoo, Apple Valley (29 June 2018)

Chaka Khan : Music in the Zoo Poster Chaka Khan Setlist This is My Night Do You Love What You Feel* What Cha' Gonna Do for Me (Ned Doheny cover) You Got the Love * I'm a Woman (I'm a Backbone) * Pack’d My Bags* Tell Me Something Good* Stay (Intro)/Sweet Thing Instrumental My Funny Valentine (Rodgers & Hart cover) I Feel for U (Prince cover) I'm Every Woman -- Encore -- Ain't Nobody* (* = Rufus song) Victory Setlist A Happy Song Overjoyed (Stevie Wonder cover) Open Your Eyes Weatherman His Eye is on the Sparrow (traditional hymn) Feeling Good (Nina Simone cover) i. Broken Instrument Tour Dates 07/22/2018 Chicago, IL "Pitchfork Music Festival" 07/24/2018 Nashville, TN Schermerhorn Symphony 07/27/2018 Denver, CO Denver Botanic Gardens 08/05/2018 Dorset, UK Lulworth Castle "Bestival" 08/17/2018 Lancaster, CA Antelope Valley Fairgrounds 08/22/2018 Kennewick, WA Benton Franklin Fairgrounds Read More Chaka Khan Chaka Khan, herself with recent health issues, including an addiction to the same fentanyl that brought down Prince, looked radiant waving a pink fan (“like a pilgrimage to Mecca” she described her return on social media) … Victory Boyd Victory Boyd voice is smooth as butter. This album is a gem. Original in every sense. 1000% recommended!! …

I feel for U, Chaka—

With temperatures nearing one hundred, a soupy rainforest-like level of humidity, and the heat index at 110, legendary funk/soul singer Chaka Khan played the Weesner Family Amphitheater at the MN Zoo in suburban Apple Valley, performing the best she could, though the elements undoubtedly affected the performance. 

The evening began with a promising newcomer, Victory Boyd (stage named as just Victory), a young formerly busking folk/soul singer-songwriter from NYC (via Detroit) that impressed Jay-Z enough, that he not only signed her to his label ROCNATION, but signed her eight-sibling family (who perform as Infinity’s Song) as well.  Her EP It’s a New Dawn was released last November, with debut full-length, The Broken Instrument, released just a few weeks ago. 

This was Boyd’s first time in the state (the stiflingly warm weather surprising her) and she brought along her sister Thalia (“MoMo”) to play bass during her forty-minute set.  The storytelling singer (think Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, Corinne Bailey-Rae, with a dash of Alicia Keys and gospel) won over the crowd with a mix of originals and covers and even proved unflappable when the power briefly went out during her Nina Simone cover. 

After the break and her hypeman’’s intro reminding us of her record sales and accomplishments, Chaka Khan and her five-piece band (with three additional backup singers and led by guitarist Rob “Fonksta” Bacon) took to the stage swinging, opening with a lively ‘This is my Night’ followed quickly by ‘Do You Love What You Feel’ which mixed in riffs of Prince’s ‘Erotic City’.

Khan has recently released her first single in over a decade, ‘Like Sugar’, but it didn’t find its way into the setlist, instead it was to be a mix of her own hits (culled from songs with and without original group, Rufus) and a few choice covers. “It’s flippin’ hot!” Khan said following the second song, soon needing to briefly stop the show to change out of her too warm suede high heeled boots, into something slightly more cool and comfortable. 

‘Everlasting Love’ was skipped on the setlist as a vocoder growl introduced Rufus’ biggest and funkiest hit, ‘Tell Me Something Good’ which had everyone up and dancing.  ‘Stay’ morphed into ‘Sweet Thing’ with Khan then leaving the stage mid-song (for what we thought might be a costume change), but it turned into a long ten-minute interval, with the band and backup singers jazz riffing and taking solo turns before Khan eventually returned, voice-scattting as her segue into a calming ‘My Funny Valentine’. The heat had likely taken some toll and Khan probably needed a breather and some kind of relief backstage, before continuing. 

Tempo kicked back up with the Prince-written ‘I Feel for U’, in a somewhat rushed version, and she (unfortunately) didn’t mention anything about the song or the songwriter on this, her first proper concert in the Minneapolis area in about a decade.  The ever-empowering ‘I’m Every Woman’ closed the main set, with Khan holding the mic outstretched as the crowd sang the chorus back to her. 

As the band continued playing, Khan briefly left the stage only to return quickly for a one-song encore of ‘Ain’t Nobody’, then at the seventy-minute mark, the show had come to an end, with Khan herself on stage for less than an hour.  

Though the songstress had tried to make the best of things (and it was great just seeing her perform a headlining set live- she last appeared locally to sing three songs at Oct 2016’s Prince Tribute Concert), this just wasn’t her night after all, against the extreme weather conditions. 

Given the high humidity and triple-digit temperatures and heat index, Chaka Khan did remain the consummate professional and managed to still entertain the capacity audience in her best way possible, despite some visible (and understandable) struggles- I feel for U, Chaka…and regardless, still think we love you.

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Victory

Victory

Victory

Chaka Khan Setlist

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan at Weesner Family Amphitheater, MN Zoo, Apple Valley (29 June 2018)

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

R.I.P. Avicii, Dale Winton, and Verne Troyer

Read More Sleeper Jon Stewart of Sleeper dropped in on W♥M Radio. Guitarist Jon, along with singer/guitarist Louise Wener, drummer Andy Macclure and bassist Diid Osman formed Sleeper in 1993.…

A couple of death news this week.

The first is the shocking news of the Swedish DJ and musician Avicii on April 20th. He was only 28. Oman’s police officially ruled out any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Fans speculate that Avicii’s death is likely attributed to his constant life of partying and drinking. Avicii said that he was forced to stop drinking when he got his first pancreatitis attack at the age of 21… but TMZ showed a photo of Avicii holding what appears to be a drink the day before his death.

Dale Winton and Sleeper

If you live outside of the UK, you probably have never heard of English radio DJ and television presenter Dale Winton. He died on April 18th, as confirmed by his long-term agent Jan Kennedy said.

Winton started his career as a DJ in London, before landing a gig on local radio. He joined BBC Bristol in 1986, and his big break came when he became the host of Supermarket Sweep from 1993 to 2001. If you’re a Britpop fan - you may know him from a brief cameo on Trainspotting, and also as the star of Sleeper’s “Inbetweener” UK music video.

Finally, Prince’s two year anniversary of his death was this week. Authority announced that they were unable to arrest anyone in the matter of his death. His family also released Prince’s recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U”. The song was relatively obscure, until Sinead O’Connor made it famous in 1990.

Verne Troyer and Cole Aldrich

Also, not a musician, but I just wanted to note that actor Verne Troyer has died at the age of 49. He was best known as “Mini-Me” from the Austin Powers movies. We saw him in person last year and was shocked to see how truly small he was.

Below are more deaths for the month of April - for the full death list: Musicians who died in 2018.

April (32)

[22 Apr 2018] Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao (Indian writer, composer and musicologist), 98

[21 Apr 2018] Graciela Agudelo (Mexican pianist and composer), 72

[21 Apr 2018] Guggi Löwinger (Austrian singer and actress), 79

[20 Apr 2018] Avicii (Swedish musician and DJ), 28

[20 Apr 2018] Brian Henry Hooper (Australian bassist for Beasts of Bourbon), 55, lung cancer

[20 Apr 2018] Robbee Mariano (German bassist for Söhne Mannheims), 47

[19 Apr 2018] Stuart Colman (English musician, record producer and broadcaster), 73, cancer

[18 Apr 2018] Dale Winton (English radio DJ and television presenter for Dale's Supermarket Sweep), 62

[17 Apr 2018] John Amirante (American anthem singer for New York Rangers), 83

[17 Apr 2018] Big Tom (Irish country music singer), 81

[17 Apr 2018] Randy Scruggs (American music producer, songwriter and guitarist, multiple Grammy winner), 64

[16 Apr 2018] Jim Caine (British jazz pianist and radio presenter), 91

[16 Apr 2018] Dona Ivone Lara (Brazilian singer and composer), 97

[16 Apr 2018] Sax Man (American street saxophonist), 65

[15 Apr 2018] Boki Milošević (Serbian clarinetist), 86

[14 Apr 2018] Stan Reynolds (British jazz musician), 92

[14 Apr 2018] Milan Škampa (Czech violist), 89

[14 Apr 2018] Jean-Claude Malgoire (French conductor), 77

[12 Apr 2018] Gyula Babos (Hungarian jazz guitarist), 68

[12 Apr 2018] Irwin Gage (American pianist), 78

[12 Apr 2018] Brij Bhushan Kabra (Indian classical slide guitar player), 81

[12 Apr 2018] Samina Samoon (Pakistani singer), 24, murdered

[11 Apr 2018] Timmy Matley (Irish singer for The Overtones), 36, skin cancer

[10 Apr 2018] Viliam Karmažin (Slovak composer and conductor, enlisted in Guinness World Records as a person with the longest career as a conductor), 95

[10 Apr 2018] Yvonne Staples (American soul singer for The Staple Singers), 80

[06 Apr 2018] Jacques Higelin (French pop singer), 77

[05 Apr 2018] Cecil Taylor (American jazz pianist), 89

[03 Apr 2018] Ron Dunbar (American songwriter), 77

[03 Apr 2018] Lill-Babs (Swedish singer and actress), 80, cancer and heart failure

[02 Apr 2018] Ahmed Janka Nabay (Sierra Leonean musician), 54

[01 Apr 2018] Audrey Morris (American jazz singer and pianist), 89

[01 Apr 2018] Ron Shaw (American singer-songwriter of the folk duo The Shaw Brothers), 77

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