kevin’s world l by entertainment editor kevin walsh
Musical Month It’s going to be a busy month. I count at least 30 out-of-town acts worth seeing as they pass through Columbia in October. And my tally doesn’t even include the 40 or so active local bands that nightly command our attention and respect. Here’s a short list of the passers-through that I think are worth checking out.
Johnathan Rice opens for Dawes on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at The Blue Note. This Scottish-American specializes in a smoldering blues-folk sound. He’s on tour to support his new album, “Good Graces,” that released Sept. 13. Rice runs with a prestigious crowd — he worked on Elvis Costello’s 2008 album “Momofuku” — but it’s been six years since he’s turned out a solo album. For fans, Rice’s arrival in Columbia will mark the end of a long wait for new tunes.
You can check out Corey Smith on Thursday, Oct. 3, at Whiskey Wild Saloon. Smith is a New Traditionalist who represents the Deep South, with roots in Georgia and Florida. His music provides an interesting contrast to the mid-South “Red Dirt” sound that Missouri helped pioneer.
Kid Congo Powers & The Pink Monkey Birds should
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inside columbia october 2013
win this month’s prize for best band name. The group will be opening for Jon Spencer Blues Explosion on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at The Blue Note. Guitarist Powers (real name Brian Tristan) has heavy-duty bona fides as an ex-member of Gun Club, Bad Seeds and Cramps. Spencer is a phenomenon unto himself who groundfloored the skronky, blues/ rock hybrid that propelled the White Stripes and the Black Keys to fame and fortune. It should be an explosive combo.
The pride of Springfield — Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin — is still heavy-reppin’ that town with intelligent, well-crafted pop and always enhancing its reputation as the kids to watch. The band gives some love to its Columbia fans in a visit to Mojo’s on Thursday, Oct. 10. Then it’s off on a tour that will take the band from Philly to Seattle and many points in-between.
Aaron Neville headlines at the Missouri Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 6. I first heard Neville singing live with his brothers at St. Louis’ Fox Theater in 1989. It was sublime. Since then I’ve only caught him outdoors, which is not ideal soundwise. The acoustics of this venue, however, should do justice to Neville’s legendary voice.
Joe Diffie takes the stage at Whiskey Wild Saloon on Saturday, Oct. 12. Back in the ’80s, I’m sure I’d have been thrown out of the place for rowdy behavior before Diffie even hit the stage. Now that my rowdy days are (mostly) behind me, I get to stay and watch the show.
The Neutral Milk Hotel show on Wednesday, Oct. 16, sold out in minutes but it’s still quite a feather in Columbia’s (and The Blue Note’s) cap to score a stop
on a reunion tour that, taken altogether, puts the recent Replacements shows in deep shade. If you didn’t score Neutral Milk Hotel tix, you won’t go wrong with Portugal the Man on the same night at Mojo’s.
Taj Mahal and Vusi Mahlasela are sure to draw a crowd to the Missouri Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Taj Mahal is a stone-solid blues pioneer in so many senses. By approaching the genre from various