Four Nights of Music -- From Bluegrass to Roots Rock
You can't plan it but sometimes the stars align just right and I wind up with my own little music festival. That happened last week when I caught back-to-back shows at the Ryman Auditorium with Chris Isaak and Dan Tyminski, immediately followed by a road trip to Asheville, N.C., for Dar Williams and Old 97s (pictured) during the Bele Chere Festival. That covers a lot of ground on the musical map, as well as on the real map, but I wouldn't change a thing. Here are a few of my favorite moments:
Without a doubt, Asheville is my top travel destination in the Southeast. If you looked at me, you'd never know I was a hippie at heart but it's refreshing to be in a city that embraces offbeat characters. Or as Dar Williams sang in "As Cool as I Am": "Then I go outside and join the others/I am the others." Yes indeed. And the boisterous Old 97s' song, "Murder (or a Heart Attack)," has been lodged in my head since Saturday night.
I also felt lucky to see Dan Tymisnki's first headlining performance at the Ryman, which is of course the birthplace of bluegrass. Just a few days earlier he sang "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" at the White House, so he's on a roll, too. The crowd also embraced "The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn." (In a summer as hot as this one, I can't blame that boy.) Bonus points for allowing bandmate Adam Steffey to step out with a few tunes from his upcoming album, too. I also enjoyed a fine opening set from Steep Canyon Rangers, who have been backing Steve Martin lately. Hopefully I can see that show myself at the Mountain Song Festival in September. I'm always up for a trip to the Asheville area.
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solongsowrong says:
For Dan Tyminski, sharing the stage is the norm. In his other gig with Union Station, as sideman to Alison Krauss, he, as well as all the band members are always featured sometime during the show, just as they are on Alison’s albums. The band concept prevails over having a star performer. That’s how it works, when the music itself is what’s important.
Sounds like you indeed hit the jack pot with the line ups you got to see! Chris Isaak is one of the best showmen/entertainers out there, and Dar Williams has an amazing voice.
Randy says:
Glad you enjoyed the DTB - we were also there and they were great. However, The Steep Canyon Rangers were just awsome and put on a truly outstanding show. They are clearly one of the very, very best bluegrass bands in the land - great instrumentation and great songs. most of which they write themselves!!