The Best of Live Music of 2011

I wanted to compile a video that would prove once and for all what a lucky man I am. After all, I got to see Jason Antone, Levi Kreis, Eric Himan, Tom Goss, Nathan Leigh Jones, Garrin Benfield, Amy Regan, Shaun Hague, Jake Walden, Coyote Grace, Gareth Asher, Avi Wisnia, Jeffrey Johnson, and Namoli Brennet all perform live last year. They appeared at the World Cafe Live!, PSALM Salon, Joe's Pub, Sullivan Hall, MilkBoy Coffee, NightCat, World Cafe at the Queen, and Black Fox Lounge. Yep, I am a freakin' lucky man. Enjoy the highlights of my "show season."

Support independent musicians by attending their shows in your area, and buying their merchandise. You will not only feel better, you will undoubtedly be assured a better seat in heaven when the shows start.

Amy Regan Live at MilkBoy Coffee

I caught the performance of singer/songwriter Amy Regan on the 15th, on the same bill as Jake Walden and Shaun Hague at MilkBoy Coffee in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. She opened the show, and did a great job pulling the crowd into her music. Whether on the guitar on at the keyboard, she delivered her songs with a heartfelt approach filled with honesty and charm. Part of that charm came from her between-song banter, little snippets from the live of a singer/songwriter, like her discussion about breaking it to her family that she was pursuing music, and the ensuing music. This is On My TV Screen.



When she moved to the keyboard, she had a sweet section of the set. That included one of my favorite songs of hers from the evening, Afterthought. I think it stayed in that sweet spot in her voice, a rich bottom side that is rich and full.



For more about Amy Regan, check out her official website here. You can find her music on iTunes here, and on Amazon.com here.

Preview Amy Regan Live

Finally caught up with Amy Regan to verify some details, like song names. With that all under control, I thought I would offer the quick preview of the work of this singer/songwriter. Check out the work of this lovely young woman with charm and talent to spare.



For more about Amy Regan, check out her official website here. You can find her music on iTunes here, and on Amazon.com here.

Jake Walden & Shaun Hague Preview

I went to see Jake Walden, Shaun Hague and Amy Regan this past Friday, and have been working away since I came back, working on videos and pictures, and giving a listen to Jake's new album, Same Something Different. Sometime soon I hope to give a fuller account of the show and the new album, but I have to say, it was a fan-freakin-tastic night. I've seen Jake a couple of times now, and this was my favorite to date. He was in great voice, and had playful banter with the audience. Jake played a couple of old favorites, but mainly played new material from the album, which he had at the show, but is officially released next Tuesday, July 26th. Here is a preview of Jake's show.



The show opened with Amy Regan, who has yet to get back to me about song titles and videos, so I won't run them quite yet. But the Hoboken, NJ, resident was charming, with a sweet voice, especially in the lower end. I was reminded of the fantastic Fiona Apple when she was performing.



I didn't really know much about Shaun Hague prior to the evening, just that he had an EP on iTunes that I purchased and listened to in preparation. I liked it, but, frankly, was not sure what to expect. Well, Shaun Hague, you've made a new fan in me. His voice is husky and expressive, packed with layers and depth. And, as Jake told you earlier, Shaun has a huge cool-factor going on. He is certainly a working musician, having played in bands for amazing acts like Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Amos Lee. But it could just be the fact his music is so damn good that gives him that amazing cool.



There will be more coverage coming soon. Until then, you can fin out more about Jake Walden here, Shaun Hague here, and Amy Regan here.