Congrats go out to Jonathan and Antonia Vassar on the birth of their new baby boy Casimir Cullen Vassar.
In honor of little baby Casimir, Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird present the first EP in a series of collected rarities and singles entitled “From the Orchid.”
It goes without saying that when Jonathan Vassar puts out a record, it’s going to be stellar. Vassar and his band The Speckled Bird seem to outdo themselves yet again with their latest release “The Sky and Country.”
The 10-track album is full of the free flowing light sounding music that Vassar and company are known for. This time around, they delve deeper into the depths of dark folk (how’s that for alliteration?) and create some truly haunting gems. Songs like “The Plain Light of Day,” “The Hanging Rocks” and “The Wreck St. James” are wonderfully intricate and the music flourishes like never before.
It’s been amazing seeing this group evolve over the course of numerous albums and this one is pure magic.
Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird – Heron and the Hummingbird
I’ve planned every day of your weekend. You’re welcome.
Country artist Chris Young heads down to Brown’s Island for Friday Cheers on Friday, June 1.
Update: According to Friday Cheers, to make sure Chris Young has enough flexiblity to play tonight, the Honky Tonk Heroes opening set has been canceled.
Update: Due to weather, Friday Cheers has been canceled.
Yet another update: Friday Cheers is still cancelled tonight, but Chris Young will play the Hat Factory. Honky Tonk Heroes will perform immediately after.
Chris Young – Neon
Nashville Blues guitarist phenom, Bart Walker brings his band to Current at the Hat Factory on Friday, June 1 with the ever popular Peoples’ Blues of Richmond. Ex-Stevie Ray Vaughan keyboardist Reese Wynans will be playing with Walker, so there’s some extra excitement for Blues lovers.
Bart Walker Band – Left Turn
If you happen to be in Short Pump on Saturday, June 2, head over to the Chick-fil-A for “Chickenstock III,” a day-long festival featuring lots of activities, food and live music from the Trillions, Atlee Community Church Band and others. The festival will be benefiting LINK’s charitable actions in the African country of Niger with our proceeds going to their efforts.
photo by Rob Jefferson
Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird have been keeping a low profile lately while they finish up work of their upcoming record “The Sky in Country,” set to be released on July 1. The group will perform at Balliceaux on Sunday, June 3. Listen to a track from the new album below.
Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird – Heron and the Hummingbird
DJ Williams Projekt has been playing around for nine years. That’s quite an accomplishment and definitely calls for a celebration. Having just thrown a birthday party, I know that they are always a blast. DJ Williams and crew hit the Camel on Sunday, June 3.
Watch the hilarious promo video below.
A psychedelic folk duo full of rich Americana sounds that are reminiscent of Bob Dylan, Vandaveer and The Wailin’ Jennys thrown in? That’s the Spinning Leaves and they’ll be playing tonight at Globehopper Coffee with the amazing Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird at 7 p.m.
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of sitting in on band practice with Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird. The group recently added Paul Watson into the group and man, does he add a new dynamic to the songs, rearranging them for cornet. It’s really great seeing this group evolve.
The band is laying low while they put the final touches of their new album “The Sky and Country,” tentatively scheduled to be released next summer. You have one more chance to see the group in its new incarnation – Sunday, Dec. 11 at Balliceaux.
Below are the band’s summer single, “Take It From Me” (a very catchy tune) and, as an exclusive to you blog readers, an unmastered version of a brand new song “Heron and the Hummingbird.”
Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird – Take It From Me
Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird – Heron and the Hummingbird
Ever since Speckled Bird member Chris Edwards moved to Portland, there’s been a void in the folk group. However, it’s a void that has now been filled.
Jonathan Vassar and Speckled Bird are pleased to announce their newest member: Paul Watson, who will play cornet, classical guitar and vocal harmonies.
Watson has played with many local acts, including The Broken Hips and Sparklehorse. He now plays with Lynn Wright in And the Wiremen (who are incredible if you haven’t seen them perform.
From an early Listening Room show.
Check out the brand new video from Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird for “Turn to Face the Wind,” directed by Richmond filmmaker Kevin Gallagher.
Richmond shook like crazy yesterday during the 5.9 magnitude earthquake and what’s the first thing I did after it was all over? Make an earthquake themed mixtape, naturally.
The mixtape features tracks from local bands Marionette, Against Grace, Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird, Dave Watkins, Louisiana Territory, Gills & Wings, Ferdinand Thomas, Prabir and the Substitutes, The Animal Beat and Nick Coward and the Last Battle.
It’s my post over at River City Rapids for this week. Go here to read and listen: http://www.rivercityrapids.com/?p=2098.
Tonight Jonathan Vassar will be playing a set of solo songs at Steady Sounds Records at 6:30 p.m., followed by The Great Unknown. If that’s too early for you, the Great Unknown has another show at Sprout on Wednesday, July 13 with Dogs on Main Street and Paw Paw.
Also on Wednesday, the Speckled Bird, along with Paul Watson will give a special performance – a live score to a film by award-winning independent filmmaker Jacob Dodd at The Anderson Gallery’s Happy Hour Series.
Two chances this week to an amazing folk rock band and one of Richmond’s most talented artists. No excuse not to get out and see them.
The Great Unknown – High Grounds
The Great Unknown – Iyla Grace
The Great Unknown – Olive Tree
Photo by Rob Jefferson
Besides being an awesome musician who was a constant staple around town, he also cared deeply about the music scene and along with other members of the Foundry, developed the ever-popular Listening Room series in addtion to numerous other shows. He also emceed the Listening Room, where he would introduce us to great musicians and make quips about the donation bin with the strange animal head or trying to sell everybody on coffee from Apropos Roasters.
As if that wasn’t enough, Chris is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet and was always full of positive energy and just fun to be around. The man even made me a mix CD for my birthday last year and that scores major points in my book.
I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll hear from him. From what I gather, he and the rest of Speckled Bird have been recording a new album like crazy before he leaves.
Good luck in Portland, Chris. Richmond will be missing you.
Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird – St. Josephina
(live from The Kennedy Center, 2009)
Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird – Fault Line Blues
Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird – You And Me And Jack
Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird – A Match Made in Heaven
RVA Playlist showcases different local and national bands playing in town, CD and show reviews in Richmond, Va.
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