A weekly audio postcard from the wide musical world of America’s best-loved band!
First of all, thanks to all who listened and contributed to KPFA during the annual Grateful Dead marathon. We had a great time and raised around $23,000 for the station. Peter Rowan dropped by in the afternoon, guitar in hand, and David Nelson visited in the evening. You can hear those portions of the broadcast … Read more
Added a show in the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque next Saturday… David Gans – “solo electric” except as noted Friday, February 12, 7pm: House concert in Placitas NM. Contact me for more info. Saturday, February 13, 8-11pm: Mountain High Bar, 12220 N. Hwy 14 (next door to Ribs BBQ), Cedar Crest NM. $5. 505-281-4227 … Read more
Thursday, February 4, 9pm: "Dead Dreams" – DG joins Dave Stein & friends and members of Front Street for acoustic and electric Dead music at the Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley CA. Saturday, February 27, 8pm: The China Cats, David Gans, and Jeni Swerdlow’s DRUMMM at the Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley CA. … Read more
Greetings and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am heading out for a week of performances in my favorite corner of the universe: Utah, Colorado, and Arizona! The January 4 show at Mystic Hot Springs (Monroe UT) will also be a video shoot, ’cause that is Mystic Mike’s hobby and I could use some pro-shot vid for … Read more
I spent Sunday 12/13 in Jeremy Goody‘s recording studio with four excellent musicians: Mark Karan (Jemimah Puddleduck, Bob Weir and Ratdog), guitar; Mookie Siegel (David Nelson Band), keyboards; Joe Kyle, Jr. (The Waybacks), bass; and Dave Brogan (ALO), drums. We spent a delightful afternoon getting several takes of my new song “Life Is a Jam,” … Read more
Johnny Downer, a brilliant guitarist and a sweet, gentle guy, died in Mexico the other night with his guitar in his hands. I got the word yesterday from Pete Cartwright, who set up a gig for Johnny and me in Sebastopol a few years back (one of my favorites of that year). Bandmate Tim Sawyer … Read more
The Ashkenaz is a very important Bay Area venue – please help! GREAT NEWS! Ashkenaz has received a $50,000 challenge grant! Greetings! We’re over-the-moon with gratitude this Thanksgiving Week. Not only are we grateful that our doors are still wide open and our dance floor is still jumpin’ even in these rocky financial times, but … Read more
I was there!
I guess this means John Kadlecik is going to be playing with Furthur a lot more. Dark Star Orchestra to their fans: Dear DSO Fan – Thank you for joining us and being a part of this continuing, long strange trip these past 12 years. Your support and excitement for the music has kept us … Read more
David McGee reviews The Ones That Look the Weirdest Taste the Best in the online music magazine The Bluegrass Special. An excerpt: …the lovely fingerpicked instrumental, “Echolalia,” its cascading lines and beautiful, lilting melody evoking a languorous, downstream odyssey around bends, over rapids, finally floating in serene, pastoral waters—a little too peaceful for James Blackshaw, … Read more