Steve Martin's Tuesday night concert at Carnegie Hall was billed as "An Evening of Banjo and Bluegrass."

But he couldn't resist adding some comedy to the mix, sprinkling some novelty songs into his set list, and frequently giving his between-song patter a dry, absurdist twist.

At one point, he said that he likes to write songs from personal experience. "And this one is called, "I Think My Masseuse is Too Chatty,' " he said. (It actually turned out to be the title track from his May album, "The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo.")

"This is a song . . . well, that pretty much says it," he said, introducing another number. [Star Ledger]

That's a review from the October 6th Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers banjo show at Carnegie Hall. On October 14th he and the band were set to take the stage at the Wellmont Theater in NJ, but that show has been canceled...

We regret to announce that due to scheduling issues, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers has been cancled on Wednesday Oct. 14th. Tickets can be refunded at point of purchase. Thank you

I don't know any other details, but the October 19th Philly show was canceled too. Right before Carnegie, Steve appeared on Letterman. That video below...

Continue reading "Steve Martin played Carnegie/Letterman, canceling shows "

Steve Martin @ Rubin Museum in May (more by Ryan Muir)

Years ago, in my old comedy act, I said, "You just can't play a sad song on the banjo." This was for comic effect only, because I knew the banjo had a capacity for mournful melodies and the "high, lonesome sound." As I was sometimes mournful, sometimes lonesome, and sometimes high, this suited me perfectly. I also found myself passionately affected by the banjo's driving staccato, darting rhythm, and inexplicable sadness. It was as though the banjo generated nostalgia for experiences I never had, joy I was yet to experience, and melancholy that was yet to come. [Steve Martin - Liner notes to "The Crow"]

The above is a selection from the liner notes for Steve Martin's first all-music album, The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo, which came out in May. A few weeks after its release, Martin performed with the Steep Canyon Rangers in a two-night run at the Rubin Museum. He'll be back this October, as part of a fall North American tour, with opening act Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys and the Steep Canyon Rangers again behind him. They play Carnegie Hall on October 6th (tix on sale) and NJ's Wellmont Theatre on October 14th (no ticket info yet).

All tour dates are below...

Continue reading "Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers - 2009 Tour Dates "

Below is a proper review of Thursday night's show to go along with Ryan Muir's pictures....

Continue reading "Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers in NYC - a review "

photos by Ryan Muir

"Comedian, actor, author, and banjo player Steve Martin releases his first musical recording since 1978's number 1 hit "King Tut." This is no novelty record though. It's some of the best banjo music to come down the pike in a long time. The Crow features able assistance from some of Steve's pals, including Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, Bela Fleck, Tim O'Brien and Mary Black. Martin wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on this album, creating a new body of work that will stand alongside the classics for years to come" [Rounder Records]

Somewhat surreal to say seriously, but Steve Martin completed his 3-show run in support of his new album at the Rubin Museum of Art last night (5/28) - he played one show on Wednesday, and then two on Thursday (early and late). These pictures are from the final show (the pictures where he's not wearing a jacket were taken during soundcheck - like the one above).

"A Tentative Evening of Bluegrass with Steve Martin performing with the Steep Canyon Rangers" is how the mostly-instrumental show was billed. When singing came, it was by the Rangers at first, and then from Steve on two songs towards the end - "Late for School" and "Orange Blossom". Everyone on stage seemed to be having fun. The band played two of their own songs in the middle of the set, and Steve played one song solo, and one with just the fiddle player. A guest banjo player appeared at one point, and white sashes were given to Steve and the band "as a monk tradition where you give the guests a token to make their troubles go away (or something like that)". Steve introduced most of his songs with short explanations, had a good rapprt with the band, and he was generally funny throughout the night - making jokes about tuning on stage, and the the "changing temperature" of the room. Ryan also said they were great, and the sound in the room was amazing.

"The Rubin Museum of Art (RMA) is home to a comprehensive collection of art from the Himalayas and surrounding regions."

More pictures below...

Continue reading "Steve Martin & banjo @ the Rubin Museum of Art, NYC - pics"

Rubin Museum of Art and The Bowery Presents
A Tentative Evening of Bluegrass with Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers
Tickets can be purchased at 212.620.5000 ext. 344 or on line at www.rmanyc.org. Tickets include admission to the Museum's galleries before the show.

Venue: Rubin Museum of Art
Dates: Wed 5/27 & Thu 5/28
Notes: all ages, Doors 9:15 PM / Show 9:30 PM, $50

Online tickets sales begin Friday, April 17th at 10:00 a.m.
Phone sales begin Friday, April 17th at 11:00 a.m.

Bluegrass is all the rage. A Ramone is doing it. Same with the frontman of Led Zeppelin. So why not Steve Martin? Actually he's been doing it for a long time. Check out the videos below...

Continue reading "Steve Martin plays the banjo - A Tentative Evening of Bluegrass (tickets on sale Friday)"