Ben Nichols (Lucero) @ Maxwell's (more by Tim Griffin)

Seeing that Lucero is about to be in town with a big show at Webster Hall on Saturday night (10/17), and that Chris Denny (last seen on stage with Deer Tick in Prospect Park) is about to make another NYC appearance (including at the free BrooklynVegan day party at Pianos on Thursday, October 22nd), I thought it might be cool to get these two Arkansas musicians (who have met before) on the phone.

It turned out better than I could have imagined. Chris (who recently singed to Partisan Records making him Deer Tick's label-mate) and Lucero front-man Ben Nichols ended up discussing Lucero's decision to go with Universal Records for their new album (1372 Overton Park), drinking, horns, whiskey, marriage, The Pogues, whiskey, Tom Petty, drinking and much more. Check it out, along with all tour dates and some videos and stuff, below...

Continue reading "Chris Denny in conversation with Ben Nichols of Lucero (both in town to play shows very soon!)"

photos by Fresh Bread

Steve Earle and Allison Moorer played one of the first shows at the newly-opened City Winery in NYC on Thursday night (1/8). It wasn't just any show though. It was a "pairing"...

"Pairings is a unique 'blend' at City Winery: an intimate concert series served with fine wine that will take place on City Winery's main stage every Thursday evening, starting in January 2009. Each concert will be preceded by an optional tasting or private dinner, followed by personal performances from some of today's most respected musicians."

Venue owner Michael Dorf (of Knitting Factory fame) made an introduction, and then Steve Earle's set kicked off with "Christmas In Washington" which included a multiple minute story about Obama and the upcoming inauguration followed by "My Old Friend the Blues." The rest of his 90-or-so minute set was spattered with old ("Copperhead Road", "Jerusalem", "Guitar Town") and new ("Down Here Below", "Tennessee Blues", "Days Aren't Hard Enough").

Allison Moorer opened and then later joined her husband Steve on stage for some songs. Her set ended with a cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" which had everyone cheering, when she said during the intro, "It is nice to have a new president that can...talk."

Earle also mentioned his next CD will be an album of all covers by his friend Townes Van Zandt (RIP) who his oldest son, Justin Townes Earle (also a musician), is named after.

More pictures of the performers and the venue below...

Continue reading "Steve Earle & Allison Moorer @ City Winery, NYC - pics"