My previous gigs:
1. I arrived in New York on Thursday 4th August and got a message from my New York musical friend that country singer Whitney Rose was playing at Hill Country Barbecue (A Texas themed restaurant). Bit of weird synchronicity - Whitney's drummer, Tom Lewis, had got married to a musical acquaintance of mine the week before in Austin - Birmingham guitarist Sophia Johnson who used to be in the Toy Hearts (I believe Dean B knows Sophia too). The crowd for this gig wasn't exactly a listening crowd, but it was a good early - free - gig. Rubbish lighting in the venue, so pics in black and white:
2. Friday 5th August was day 1 of the "Roots of American Music" series at Lincoln Center. M.Ward was the headliner (again the gig was free). I didn't know much of his stuff, but enjoyed what I heard.
3. Saturday 6th August meant the 40th Anniversary tribute concert for the Band's Last Waltz concert. Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble band were joined by many others under the direction of Larry Campbell. The late announcement of the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir to the bill meant that the crowd stretched from 63rd to 66th Street - another freebie. Too many photos to put here, but Dr John, Bob Weir, Lucinda Williams. Teddy Thompson, Patty Griffin, Anderson East and Buddy Miller were the key guests. Earlier in the day, on a neighbouring stage, Teddy Thompson & Kelly Jones, Mary Gauthier and Those Pretty Wrongs (Big Star's Jody Stephens & Luther Russell playing jangly Big Star-type pop) had all played.
4. Final concert day in NY saw the last day of the Lincoln Center Out of Doors series - Dwight Yoakam, supported by the Cactus Blossoms. For me, the Cactus Blossoms were the highlight of the weekend - vocally, close your eyes and they're the Everly Brothers - but with added Mavericks/Chris Isaak twang. Gorgeous.
Then it was back to the UK and after a day trying to get over jetlag, I headed to Welshampton near Wrexham for the North Shropshire Cajun and Zydeco Festival -tiny festival orgainsed by fantastic accordion player Gavin Lewery in his home village. Harold Guillory, Wayne Singleton and Lisa Trahan were Zydeco & Cajun musicians brought over from Louisiana and UK band The Rosellys also made an appearance. My friend Sarah Savoy, who's currently working in a Paris restaurant, also came over to do the food
More photos can be found
HERENext gig - Morrissey at Manchester Arena on Saturday.