If you happen to be a fan of the intimacy as well the intricacy of a song then tonight’s co-bill at the Gravity Lounge featuring Kelly Joe Phelps and Charlottesville’s own Paul Curreri should rank high on your list of must-see shows.  Both artists tackle the role of solo folk singer with an ear for country-blues soul and a sense of jazz improvisation, and together the pair have performed well over 100 concerts together.

Phelps, who began his music career playing bass in a free jazz style, discovered his love of country-blues in the late 80’s after hearing the music of Mississippi Fred McDowell, among others.  He released his debut album, Lead Me On, in 1994 and that collection of old gospel, blues covers, and original material would lead him to a long-standing relationship with Rykodisc Records who would go on to release six of Phelps’ albums between 1997 and 2005 (including one of my personal favorites Sky Like a Broken Clock in 2001).  His most recent album, Tunesmith Retrofit, was released in 2006 on Rounder Records.

Celebrated equally for his musicianship as well as his songwriting, Phelps is considered by many to be one of the country’s premier slide guitar players performing today and his work as a guitarist has appeared on albums by the likes of Greg Brown, Jay Farrar, and Tim O’Brien.  In 2003, it was Phelps who produced Paul Curreri’s second album Songs for Devon Sproule and he also played slide guitar on one of the album’s signature tracks “Crozet Trestle Bridge”.

In looking at the path his own career has taken, Paul Curreri considers Phelps to be an important figure in his own development as an artist and musician, and tonight’s show at Gravity should in many ways be the celebration of a shared musical vision.  Curreri has released five albums to-date including his latest The Velvet Rut (City Salvage), which has received rave reviews from critics, including a five-star rating from Mojo Magazine.

Paul Curreri and Kelly Joe Phelps at the Gravity Lounge tonight at 7pm.  $15.

Watch:
Video:  Kelly Joe Phelps–”Tight the Jar”

Watch:
Video:  Paul Curreri–”Letting Us Be”

Popularity: 11% [?]

He’s been called “Virginia’s best kept secret”, but it’s no secret to many music fans in Charlottesville that Paul Curreri is an exceptional talent.  The singer/songwriter has now called Charlottesville his home since 2000 and over the years he has provided local audiences with countless memorable concert moments. 

Well your next opportunity to see one of Charlottesville’s finest in action is just around the corner as Paul Curreri will take the stage at the Gravity Lounge on Friday (07/18).  Joining Paul on stage tomorrow night for a few songs will be Sam Wilson (of Sons of Bill fame for starters) and the evening kicks off with a performance by another local talent as special guest Wes Swing opens.  Friday night’s show kicks off at 8pm and the admission price is $10 at the door.

A couple of days ago, I dropped Paul an email asking him if he’d like to play the game 7 Questions with cvilleMUSE and he readily agreed.  So I hit the button on the random question generator and what follows is the end result of my questions and Paul’s answers.  Thanks again Mr. Curreri for playing along!

[Paul Curreri photo by Aaron Farrington]
»Read More

Popularity: 41% [?]

Here’s a little something I recently discovered for all you Paul Curreri and Devon Sproule fans out there (which includes yours truly).  Of course you hardcore fans may already be one step ahead of me, but I’ve always been a little slow.  But just in case you’re not already in the know, you should stop by Paul Curreri’s website and check out The Valentine Duets, a series of compilation albums recorded by Devon and Paul over the past five years that are available for download free of charge.

[Devon and Paul photo by Scott Elmquist]

»Read More

Popularity: 23% [?]

May 17: Song of the Day. Hackensaw Boys–Alabama Shamrock

We haven’t featured a local artist in our Song of the Day slot in awhile so I thought we’d pull one out today and in doing so, highlight a local venue’s upcoming 5 Year Anniversary next month.

 On Friday, June 27, the Gravity Lounge, located on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, will be celebrating its 5th Anniversary.  To mark the occasioin, the Gravity will be holding a special anniversary music event featuring three of Charlottesville’s premier performers.  The concert, whose start time has yet to be announced, will include individual performances by Morwenna Lasko and Jay Pun and Paul Curreri, both of who will be opening for the headliners on the special evening, The Hackensaw Boys.

This is going to be a show you won’t want to miss, so mark your calendars now for 5 Years of Gravity Lounge on Friday, June 27.  After the jump, check out the video for The Hackensaw Boys’ “Alabama Shamrock” from their album Love What You Do. »Read More

Popularity: 22% [?]

[www.tomdalyphotgraphy.com]

Two years ago, on an early morning in late July, I sat in complete peace in the beer garden at Floydfest, nursing a Magic Hat and lazily hoping to stave off the impending hangover. I lit up a smoke and waited for the morning music to begin, in no particular hurry, just watching the crowd do their bumbling, morning thing. People watching is easy when you’re half twisted before noon. Just stare, and don’t care. Being fairly seasoned in the culture, nuances, and etiquette of the American Music Festival, I saw the approach a mile away…this guy is coming over for a cigarette. I remember thinking to my admittedly grumpy self, “can you even bum a smoke before 11am?”

I had no idea at the time, but I met Paul Curreri that morning. I handed him a parlie with some disdain, lit him up, and then watched as he walked away… through the crowd, toward the stage, and up on to it. And then he played. If he had kept walking through the crowd that day I probably would have forgotten about it; how many thousands of anonymous smokes have I bummed, and been bummed?

But he didn’t keep walking. He got on stage and tore off my first Paul Curreri tune ever, “Hawkmoth.” I was both mesmerized and humbled.

For those of you who don’t know Paul (I don’t) or his music (I do), you would do well to acquaint yourself with at least the latter. A singer-songwriter from Charlottesville, Paul just returned from a tour in Europe and the Western US, and performed his homecoming show at Gravity Lounge on Thursday night. Any attempt to describe in words the level of songwriting Paul has achieved is to do both he and I, and you the reader, an injustice; his pen, his voice, and his guitar all come together to form a sound that absolutely pulses with emotion. His lyrics are so tightly strung and so eloquent, and so quickly delivered, that it’s a struggle to keep oneself from becoming entangled in stanzas past. They blow past you like wind.

There are people in my life
Who drop from time to time
Down into the binding of a page.
Their picture laying there beside
A poem that once filled in the barren.
Just some riddle now, but I read it anyway.

Paul will play again in Charlottesville at C-Fest, and I will be there.

More info on Paul Curreri, as well as his latest album The Velvet Rut, is available through his website: www.paulcurreri.com

Popularity: 31% [?]

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
.

A singer/songwriter, a bluesman, and a honky tonker.  Three local musicians who represent some of the best that Charlottesville has to offer in their particular genres will put on three great shows in two days as Paul Curreri (left), Eli Cook (center), and Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees (right) all bring their musical talents to local stages on Thursday and Friday.

Paul Curreri kicks things off on Thursday with his performance at the Gravity Lounge.  Paul is coming off a tour of Europe back in February and March and U.S. West Coast swing in April and Thurdsay’s show will mark Paul’s first performance in Charlottesville in quite some time.  His show at the Gravity will be a chance for local fans to welcome home one of Charlottesville’s brightest singer/songwriters.  Joe Pollock and David Jacobs open.  7:30pm.  $8.

For more info on Friday’s shows from Eli Cook and Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees… »Read More

Popularity: 30% [?]

Man, I’ve slept in a little too long this A.M.  That third pot of java did the trick.  Now I’m ready to java jam.  How bout you?

Sunday is sort of my day of rest, so with that in mind I’m gonna give you a two-for-one Song of the Day to cover the entire weekend.

Charlottesville’s own Paul Curreri  is at the Hamner Theater Cabaret in Nellysford this evening.  Check out the ‘Weekend Reminders’ post for more details.  Here are two reasons to put a little gas in your tank and go. 

Recorded in San Diego, CA for the Java Jams TV show this is the “Wasp” and “Long Gone John Tennessee”, your Songs of the Days from Mr. C.

Popularity: 18% [?]

For a town of just over 40,000 people, Charlottesville’s music scene surpasses that of many cities two and three times its size.  Sure there have been a few setbacks over the past twelve months or so with the recent closings of Starr Hill Music Hall and Atomic Burrito in addition to the rumblings swirling around the fate of the Satellite Ballroom, but all in all, when you step back and take  look at it, if you’re a music fan living in or around C’ville life really isn’t all that bad.

I mean seriously, extend an ear and listen.  On any given night in Charlottesville you are guaranteed to find a venue playing host to either a local up-and-coming artist, a national touring act, or even the occasional music legend.  And let’s not forget that guy who’s always playing the flute on the Downtown Mall.  Eat your heart out Jethro Tull!

And yes, Charlottesville is both the birthplace of Presidents and the Dave Matthews Band.  But let’s not forget that Stephen Malkmus of Pavement and David Berman of the Silver Jews both at one time called our fair “velvet rut” home.

»Read More

Popularity: 29% [?]