It's on The Mothership. I took a ride on this ship when it sailed with "Now you can Boo me" and here we are with...
Nite Owl (https://www.niteowlhiphop.com/home) Hip Hop to make you proud. What I mean is this...IF you like Hip Hop and Rap, the real classic shit. The kind with the bass that makes you nod your head like your neck is broke. The lyrical story telling, clear and sharp. Fun beats and rhymes, with the whole dance floor jumping...
Then you need to pick up "When the Smoke Clear" - by Nite Owl here - https://niteowlhiphop.com/album/653369/when-the-smoke-clear This album starts out clean with the opening track "Who am I" which carries a surprise in the middle of the track. Excellent music writing and scoring. I had to listen to the track twice before I realized it was one track not two short ones. Genius and tricky.
Running right into the "Same old Story" we get straight into the deep. The passion and the story telling of Nite Owl. No, there isn't really any anger in this track but you feel his confusion and pain. Speaking of events and tragedies in the recent past. It is the track that anchors and directs the feel for the rest of the album.
"Here We Go" and "The Mothership" bring that fun vibe back to the album. OH! and then you get to that O N E track. THAT track. The laid back piece, with that nice little groove, and then the cool flow of Nite Owls voice is only topped by the cool sexy voice that does the chorus. This shit is gold.
This second half of the CD is not stop story telling of life, youth relived, and a movement and issues I will never understand but can appreciate. "BLM" nearly melted my speakers. "Once Again" and "Time" culminate into "Something Brand New". And finally Nite Owl tells it all in "Current Affairs".
Let me lay my opinion on you like this - when Jay Z was young and had stories to tell with wicked smart rhymes and amazing beats. When Eminem was young and angry and trying to prove himself.
Nite Owl is neither but the soul of true Rap and Hip Hop lies within him!
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Always fun at One2One
Located on S Lamar just minutes from down town, sits a small strip center in a rapidly developing corner of Austin. Housed right smack in the middle this area is the One2One (http://www.one2onebar.com/). This hot little place houses one of the best small stages in Austin. The sound in the room is amazing, the stage lighting is fantastic, and the bar staff is on point. The room is a rectangle shape room, as you walk in the bar runs about halfway down the right wall with the stage at the end of the room opposite the door. The bathrooms are on either side of the stage...and yes...the men and women restrooms are on OPPOSITE sides of the stage.
Another night at the One2One brought several different sounds from 3 different acts.
Joe George (http://www.joegeorgemusic.net/) from Chicago was a solo acoustic set. Spinning his tales between him, his guitar, and the crowd. Joe George entertained us and kept the mood warm in the room. I don't have a problem admitting a whole lot of attention was not provided by myself to his set. It was enough and smile inducing enough to give you this description. Joe George did however, provide a surprise just a little later in the evening that wowed us all.
The Reverent Few (https://thereverentfew.com/) was a smashing combo. The glorious lead singer showered us with her powerful voice from her small frame. The lead guitarist regaled us with his fine work on the fret board as well as his vocals. I was mesmerized by the bassist. To my surprise, soloist Joe George, joined them on stage to bring it all to glorious peak -what a musician and entertainer! As a whole ensemble, The Reverent Few surprised the damned many that stood before them this evening. It really was grande performance with vocals in quite a fashion. Hearing one of my peers and long time fixtures in the Austin music scene exclaim 'My God! How are these kids from Austin and I am just now hearing about this!?' Just like the music of The Reverent Few and their performance...just damn fine!
Jelly Ellington (http://www.jellyellington.com/) was whom I came to enjoy. Although the other performances before Jelly were crowd pleasing, it was this man's night and he was fresh from touring for his new release "All In". It takes the causal person in the crowd no time at all to realize it is not just the album title, but his approach to music and performing. With a great line up of musicians behind him, Jonathan Ellington, known to all as 'Jelly' not only can he play guitar at a level that makes you want to burn your guitar (even if you don't own one or play) but can sing with a smooth powerful voice. It is definitely a performance with catching anywhere, anytime, day show, evening show, or late night. During the week or on a weekend you should go "All In!"
I do want to take another moment to talk about the new CD - so let me enlighten you:
"All In" is an amazing piece of work. The opening hand claps of 'Set Me Free' proves to be a roof raising rocking anthem which promises to drive everyone into a frenzy of good times. The strumming guitar work and keys with the vocals and rhythm just makes you keep turning it up - and wait until you hear it live. You are able to drift away with track two 'Sunset'. But then the slow fade in of the keys and that haunting sound on the guitar roll in on track three's 'Let Go'. This is a track that uttelry mesmerizes you as it continues to build. Track four 'Crosstown' comes right back with that funky groove and Jelly's voice that is passion laden and smoldering - vaguely giving you that feel of Jimi taking over. Oh..and then 'Hard Times Coming Down', wraps you up in its warmth. The organ sounds and the keys back fills this track to make the story Jelly tells so much more interesting.
Showing his skill at song writing and musical genius, Jelly give us the track 'Getaway'. A back seat riding song with the windows down, and having that cool country feel, it is whiskey sipping track. We finally roll into a point where it feels as if Jelly is just sitting on the stool singing to you. Just him and the beautiful sound of his guitar playing. As you you wrap yourself in this track you realize and feel the warmth of the strings filling in. All of this culminates in the explosion horns with the funk filled end tack 'New Day'.
An album well worth having, enjoying, and spreading the work about. Grab this from his website here - http://smarturl.it/jellyellington_allin - turn it up load, and find a show to see an album performed better than it sounds!
I am out.
Laters
Another night at the One2One brought several different sounds from 3 different acts.
Joe George (http://www.joegeorgemusic.net/) from Chicago was a solo acoustic set. Spinning his tales between him, his guitar, and the crowd. Joe George entertained us and kept the mood warm in the room. I don't have a problem admitting a whole lot of attention was not provided by myself to his set. It was enough and smile inducing enough to give you this description. Joe George did however, provide a surprise just a little later in the evening that wowed us all.
The Reverent Few (https://thereverentfew.com/) was a smashing combo. The glorious lead singer showered us with her powerful voice from her small frame. The lead guitarist regaled us with his fine work on the fret board as well as his vocals. I was mesmerized by the bassist. To my surprise, soloist Joe George, joined them on stage to bring it all to glorious peak -what a musician and entertainer! As a whole ensemble, The Reverent Few surprised the damned many that stood before them this evening. It really was grande performance with vocals in quite a fashion. Hearing one of my peers and long time fixtures in the Austin music scene exclaim 'My God! How are these kids from Austin and I am just now hearing about this!?' Just like the music of The Reverent Few and their performance...just damn fine!
Jelly Ellington (http://www.jellyellington.com/) was whom I came to enjoy. Although the other performances before Jelly were crowd pleasing, it was this man's night and he was fresh from touring for his new release "All In". It takes the causal person in the crowd no time at all to realize it is not just the album title, but his approach to music and performing. With a great line up of musicians behind him, Jonathan Ellington, known to all as 'Jelly' not only can he play guitar at a level that makes you want to burn your guitar (even if you don't own one or play) but can sing with a smooth powerful voice. It is definitely a performance with catching anywhere, anytime, day show, evening show, or late night. During the week or on a weekend you should go "All In!"
I do want to take another moment to talk about the new CD - so let me enlighten you:
"All In" is an amazing piece of work. The opening hand claps of 'Set Me Free' proves to be a roof raising rocking anthem which promises to drive everyone into a frenzy of good times. The strumming guitar work and keys with the vocals and rhythm just makes you keep turning it up - and wait until you hear it live. You are able to drift away with track two 'Sunset'. But then the slow fade in of the keys and that haunting sound on the guitar roll in on track three's 'Let Go'. This is a track that uttelry mesmerizes you as it continues to build. Track four 'Crosstown' comes right back with that funky groove and Jelly's voice that is passion laden and smoldering - vaguely giving you that feel of Jimi taking over. Oh..and then 'Hard Times Coming Down', wraps you up in its warmth. The organ sounds and the keys back fills this track to make the story Jelly tells so much more interesting.
Showing his skill at song writing and musical genius, Jelly give us the track 'Getaway'. A back seat riding song with the windows down, and having that cool country feel, it is whiskey sipping track. We finally roll into a point where it feels as if Jelly is just sitting on the stool singing to you. Just him and the beautiful sound of his guitar playing. As you you wrap yourself in this track you realize and feel the warmth of the strings filling in. All of this culminates in the explosion horns with the funk filled end tack 'New Day'.
An album well worth having, enjoying, and spreading the work about. Grab this from his website here - http://smarturl.it/jellyellington_allin - turn it up load, and find a show to see an album performed better than it sounds!
I am out.
Laters
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
another SundayFunday
I hold firm to the belief music soothes the soul. If you are feeling down or just not yourself, bummed out and depressed, or just simply tired. The difficult thing about dealing with these things is just the simple fact to get up and do something.
Not feeling a 100% didn't stop me. My beautiful wife caught me just sitting on the sofa late on a Sunday morning. All I heard was simply "...and The Nightowls?" I looked up at her as she was smiling. "Oh! They are on the road." I responded.
"No. They are at Icenhauers today. You wanna do a Sunday Funday?"
...And off we went.
The parking downtown, near the lake and Rainey St. is pretty ridiculous. Especially at 3 in the afternoon. We circled twice and then snuck into a spot that was open. Took a stroll down Rainey St. It was a nice afternoon. Not to hot. The sun wasn't out cooking us, it was simply nice. Strolling up to the line in front of Icenhauers (http://www.icenhauers.com/) was not really a surprise. The Sunday Funday here has been epic for about as long as they have been open. I can think of four different bands that have set crowds dancing shoes on fire since their beginning.
From Eagle Pritchard Murray Band, The GoodNites, The Jack Burton Trio, and now... The Nightowls (http://wearethenightowls.com/). Icenhauers on a Sunday afternoon is pretty much the definition of SundayFunday. I believe if you look it up in the Urban dictionary there is a picture of this place. OH! It is crowded. Ridiculous! Jam packed - body to body - bumping - jumping - hands up in the air - don't go anywhere because you cant move - kind of crowded. It is great! The music from The Nightowls are out of this world, Motown reincarnated in Austin, Texas good!
With all the great music, with the energy of the crowd, and the fresh air. It was simply the best way to feel good (and the Allisons didn't hurt either). Even for the short length of time we were out, it was all good. Another Sunday Funday in the books. Maybe you should try it too.
Laters
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Emo Nite - dos
I was just here a month ago...I swear. It was that much fun for me and apparently for the crew that puts on this touring event. Emo Nite La Presents loved the city of Austin, Come and Take It Live, and the crowd so much the had a repeat event only 30 days after their first
Come and Take It Live (https://www.facebook.com/comeandtakeitlive/) is poised to be the hottest, most flexible venue in the Austin music scene. Nearing their 1 yr anniversary, it is events like this which prove how much fun and exciting this place is. Where I stepped into this event previously solo, tonight I had an entourage. My wife, 4 friends, and my daughter. Running into the singers for both Call Me King and Gold Steps, only proved the fun and excitement this event brought. I was even surprised to run into a couple of other friends whom I would have never guessed would go to an Emo event. So it was really a great time for all.
The event is just music. DJ's doing an electronic set with all of the music that made everyone sing at the top of there lungs. From the opening kick drum beats of Fall Out Boy - "Sugar, We're goin Down" to My Chemical Romance - "Black Parade" and every other song you could think of in between, there was never a stop in the singing and crowded floor.
Look forward to this coming around again and hanging out with more friends.
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Who is this guy
is what I heard several times during the evening during the Paul Cauthen performance.
I was at Emos Austin. Located on Riverside Dr, about 3 minutes from downtown Austin. It has been a while since I was last here. Although the room itself hasn't changed, the aesthetics have. A fresh coat of paint, some new decorating around the perimeter of the venue, the addition of another bar, and it is still Emos. Don't take this statement the wrong way. Emos is a great place to go see a show. You walk in the door and only a few feet from the main entrance and you are standing in the giant room that is the venue. The sound has never left me wanting, always fast service at any of the bars, and big stage that can be seen from pretty much any spot inside those four walls.
This night was special for me. On the recommendation of my cousin, and some Divine intervention, I picked up a copy of Paul Cauthens debut CD release "My Gospel". After listening to this disc several times, I grew to really appreciate the song writing, the tunes, and overall vibe of the album. It is definitely a masterful piece of work.
Even better than the CD is finding out Paul Cauthen (http://www.paulcauthenmusic.com/) is coming to town. Without a hesitation I jumped on the chance to shoot photo for this lost sons return to Austin. NO, there was not a large, glamorous stage show. It was 5 guys on stage doing what they love, and doing it very well. It was exceptionally fulfilling for me to enjoy this performance from behind the lens for 3 songs - no flash. It was so much more when I stepped from behind the barricade and melted into the crowd. With Paul Cauthens big, booming voice carrying through the venue and the great time you could see him having on stage, it was glorious to be in the house.
Even more exciting was roaming through the crowd and seeing the faces lit up by the stage lights. The whispers of excitement from here and there in the crowd. I didn't hesitate to interrupt the conversations I overhead. When there was someone who would lean over to their friend, and just above the sound of Paul singing, I could hear them ask "Wow! do you know who this guy is?" I happily jumped on that moment and would exclaim "That's Paul, Paul Cauthen!" It was not sad for me to hear so many voices asking who this Johnny Cash sounding fellow was, it was thrilling to hear Paul Cauthen making fans as I stood there and witnessed.
Thanks to my cousin James Tompkins for anointing me.
Appreciate my photographer friends I rarely see, because my head is jammed up the local scenes ass so much I don't do the touring shows. Scott Moore and Katrina Barber are always two of the three best to bump into, always.
And thanks to the City of Austin for being Austin. I love doing what I do for nothing. I love giving respect and my time to the musicians that give their souls to the city for so little.
Laters
I was at Emos Austin. Located on Riverside Dr, about 3 minutes from downtown Austin. It has been a while since I was last here. Although the room itself hasn't changed, the aesthetics have. A fresh coat of paint, some new decorating around the perimeter of the venue, the addition of another bar, and it is still Emos. Don't take this statement the wrong way. Emos is a great place to go see a show. You walk in the door and only a few feet from the main entrance and you are standing in the giant room that is the venue. The sound has never left me wanting, always fast service at any of the bars, and big stage that can be seen from pretty much any spot inside those four walls.
This night was special for me. On the recommendation of my cousin, and some Divine intervention, I picked up a copy of Paul Cauthens debut CD release "My Gospel". After listening to this disc several times, I grew to really appreciate the song writing, the tunes, and overall vibe of the album. It is definitely a masterful piece of work.
Even better than the CD is finding out Paul Cauthen (http://www.paulcauthenmusic.com/) is coming to town. Without a hesitation I jumped on the chance to shoot photo for this lost sons return to Austin. NO, there was not a large, glamorous stage show. It was 5 guys on stage doing what they love, and doing it very well. It was exceptionally fulfilling for me to enjoy this performance from behind the lens for 3 songs - no flash. It was so much more when I stepped from behind the barricade and melted into the crowd. With Paul Cauthens big, booming voice carrying through the venue and the great time you could see him having on stage, it was glorious to be in the house.
Even more exciting was roaming through the crowd and seeing the faces lit up by the stage lights. The whispers of excitement from here and there in the crowd. I didn't hesitate to interrupt the conversations I overhead. When there was someone who would lean over to their friend, and just above the sound of Paul singing, I could hear them ask "Wow! do you know who this guy is?" I happily jumped on that moment and would exclaim "That's Paul, Paul Cauthen!" It was not sad for me to hear so many voices asking who this Johnny Cash sounding fellow was, it was thrilling to hear Paul Cauthen making fans as I stood there and witnessed.
Thanks to my cousin James Tompkins for anointing me.Appreciate my photographer friends I rarely see, because my head is jammed up the local scenes ass so much I don't do the touring shows. Scott Moore and Katrina Barber are always two of the three best to bump into, always.
And thanks to the City of Austin for being Austin. I love doing what I do for nothing. I love giving respect and my time to the musicians that give their souls to the city for so little.
Laters
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