Briefs

Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes

Date: Friday, February 2, 2007 with doors at 9 p.m.

Venue: Monsoon’s, 9 N. Jackson St., 438-5500, www.monsoonsmobile.com

Tickets: $5

These dirty birds got together back in 2001 in New Orleans. Two years later, they were picking up Best Rock Band at the Big Easy Entertainment Awards and have been going non-stop ever since. Songs like “F.U.W.G.” are reminiscent of early Primus, yet they can’t resist jumping back into the funk with their talented horns and vocals.

“Ya Herd Me?” really displays the talent of the horn section and presents their New Orleans jazz roots in a pure sense with Mr. Sketch dropping verbal assaults in between.

In 2005, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes released ”...Pain, Pleasure, Fear, and Opera” on Noiselab Records. This release truly exhibits the versatility of this band, especially with the song “Sherm.”

If there’s any insecurity concerning the power of their live performance, then feel free to check out the live cuts from the 2006 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on their latest release. Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes won over thousands of new fans with this electrifying set.

One of these fans of their JazzFest set just so happens to be “Rolling Stone” senior editor David Fricke who found the band to be a “revelation,” and the Port City will play witness to this revelation when a NOLA funk bomb drops on Monsoon’s.

Blue Mother Tupelo

Date: Sunday, February 11, 2007 with the show starting at 7 p.m.

Venue: Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, 916 Charleston St., 251-433-9347

Tickets: $3 at the door

Whether it is mainstream, underground or jazz, Mobile music lovers have always been apprehensive at trying new things. Local and out of town bands both play victim to this fickle nature. Jimmy Buffet experienced the same problem and supposedly harbors resentment to his hometown based on this. Such was the case when Nashville’s Blue Mother Tupelo made their Port City debut at Callaghan’s a couple of months ago. Only fifteen people showed up to this show. The kicker was that these fifteen people were blown away and became instant fans to the backwoods blues sounds of this husband and wife duo. Now, Ricky and Micol Davis are returning to Mobile with a vengeance and a promising future in their path

Recently, Blue Mother Tupelo was selected to play at the 2007Austin City Limits Music Festival. This is Texas’s version of Bonnaroo. Blue Mother Tupelo should have plenty of copies of their latest album “Delta Low-Mountain High” at this performance, so audience members will have the chance to take Blue Mother Tupelo home with them.

Hot Hicks

Taylor Hicks fans showed up in droves when the Mobile Civic Center’s box office opened its windows. As the line progressed, tensions began to build as tickets flew out of the booth, and the chance of a sell-out was imminent. Fortunately for Hicks, tickets for his February 27 performance sold out in less than an hour. It’s been a long time since that’s happened for a Civic Center concert and could be considered quite impressive. Unfortunately, many of Hick’s fans were left without tickets. Some of these fans became quite angry at this fact and demanded a second performance for the following night, since his next show is set for March 2 in North Myrtle Beach.

Officials at the Mobile Civic Center were unavailable for feedback or comment concerning a second show or the fan’s dismay. However, Soul Kitchen is hosting his former band the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra on the same night. It has been rumored that Hicks has a habit for sitting in with the band when they play the same town.

Spearhead aimed at Mobile

Speaking of Soul Kitchen, Huka Productions has confirmed Michael Franti and Spearhead for March 8 at Mobile’s premiere music venue. Some people might remember Franti from his underground band The Beatnigs, who found a home on Jello Biafra’s (Dead Kennedy’s) Alternative Tentacles label. He also fronted The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. They are most remembered for their version of the Dead Kennedy’s “California Uber Alles.” In 1994, Franti formed a musical institution of soul and funk and called it Spearhead.

Whether it is punk, funk or soul, Franti has always created a style of music that is extremely politically in nature. Franti even traveled to Iraq independently and sojourned through the land trying form his own opinion of the war. Tickets are on sale now at www.soulkitchenmobile.com.

Stick news

Mobile’s The Ugli Stick really impressed the crowds at the North American Music Merchant Conference (NAMM) in Anaheim, CA. Bassist Quintin Berry demonstrated his skills at the Spector Bass booth and drew tons of attention from passers-by. Eric Erdman and Dale Drinkard had the same effect at the DeMars guitars booth. Their separate performances were not the only buzz for The Ugli Stick as they showcased as well.

“We put on two stellar performances to packed out audiences,” exclaims manager Kathy Kemp. “They were on their feet and totally digging The Ugli Stick’s music.” Their performance also earned them shout-outs from the stage from members of Saliva and Twisted Sister.

Bo Roberts and the Port City All-Stars with R.C. and the Moonpies

Date: February 7, 2007 at 9 p.m.

Venue: Blues Tavern, 2818 Government Blvd, 251-479-7621

Tickets: Free

Bojangles’ patrons were recently entertained not only by the talented guitar stylings of JackJaw Jimmy but also keyboardist extraordinaire Bo Roberts, who was sitting in with the band. Roberts effortlessly tickled the keys with precision and brought JackJaw Jimmy’s sound to another level. This piano veteran started on the keys at the tender age of four and dedicated himself with a degree in classical music theory. He has shared the stage with national acts such as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Delbert McClinton, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bo Diddley as well as locals such as Wes Loper, Hank Becker and AllGetOut.

Skip Heller

with special guests Newt Johnson and David White

Date: Sat., Feb. 3

Venue: Satori Coffee House, 5460 Old Shell Rd., 344-4575

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Tickets: $5

Many local jazz enthusiasts are already familiar with Skip Heller’s unique sound through his previous performances in the Port City. Skip Heller is at it again and touring in support of his latest release “San Fernando Valley.” This is a follow-up to the simultaneous release of “Out of Time!” and “Bear Flag” on Dreambox Media label. On “San Fernando Valley” Heller joins several of his musical compatriots such as Huntsville’s Newt Johnson (organ) and David White (bass). Experiencing Heller is a pleasure for all music listeners with music that can paint vivid pictures in the mind with a lasting impression.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

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