Last month I returned to The Bur Oak to see Alash Ensemble, a group of Tuvan throat singers, with a friend of mine. I'd seen them there last March and was so enthralled that I bought tickets immediately when I saw that they were returning.
This time around I was a bit closer to the stage and the ensemble was down to three members. I adore all the songs about horses and mountains and life in a far off land.
The performance was just as enchanting as last year's - even more so, perhaps. More than once I fell into a trance. The steady beat and the ethereal singing just lulled me into a peaceful and blissful state, as if I had been led to the Land of the Lotus Eaters and eaten from their stash. It was simply lovely.
Hopefully they shall return soon.
I also availed myself of the opportunity to see Louis Michot last month at North Street Cabaret.
I saw him way back in 2022 with Lost Bayou Ramblers and was eager to discover what his solo work was like.
He alternated between acoustic guitar and fiddle and threw some sampling wizardry in for rhythmic good measure. He played music from his solo career of which I was completely unaware until I attended this performance, as well as some Lost Bayou Rambler tunes. He was two albums, Rêve Du Troubadour and Seauxleaux, under his own name and has collaborated with many other musicians including Leyla McCalla whom I knew from her stint with Carolina Chocolate Drops and Our Native Daughters.
In between songs there was plenty of banter about his life, the songs he played, and about Louisiana and Cajun culture. He told stories about his father Tommy Michot and his band Les Frères Michot where Louis and his brother Andre cut their chops; he talked a bit about the ecology of southern Louisiana; he talked about the New Orleans born composer and musician Louis Moreau Gottschalk before playing one of his songs. Just all kinds of stories.
At one point he asked if anyone had ever been to Natchitoches, a small city in northern Louisiana. I was one of three people to raise their hands. I knew about the Cane River and meat pies as my father had moved there and I got to know the place a little bit after his death when I was down there for three weeks to settle his estate.
He expressed condolences for the loss of Bob Queen who brought many a band here to Madison for the summer festivals and beyond. It sounded like Michot was more familiar with Madison than just a single swing through with Lost Bayou Ramblers.
Switching back to The Bur Oak, I finally saw Los Straitjackets. They're one of those bands that I should have seen 25+ years ago. I have been meaning to see them for ages and I am very glad that I finally did.
They play a lot of surf rock along with more rock/rockabilly tunes a la The Ventures and The Shadows. Also present that night was Deke Dickerson who collaborated with the band on 2014's Sings The Great Instrumental Hits!!!!!! where they took instrumental classics by The Ventures, Dick Dale, et al and put words to the music. In fact, they played a couple songs from that album.
Hearing Link Wray tunes live and loud was a real treat. A fantastic night.
Lastly, I saw Los Lobos down in Stoughton. It had been almost 30 years since I'd seen them at the Barrymore. Last time they came around I waited too long to buy tickets and they had sold out by the time I logged in to hand over my money.
While I didn't get to hear "Everybody Loves a Train", it was still a magical night. "Two Janes" was beautiful, affecting, moving - just great! I closed my eyes as I sang along. They jammed on "Angel Dance" and I loved every note. My mancrush on David Hildalgo continues.
Cesar Rosas asked the crowd at one point how to pronounce "Stoughton" and, upon being told, he said that someone in Chicago was mispronouncing it.
Recently I put a CD shelf together and got all of my music CD's unpacked. Well, most of them. Bootlegs remain in a box. Since then I have bought even more and now have to rejigger things to make room for them on the proper shelves.
The Louis Michot and Alash albums were bought at their shows here earlier this month while the one by Verità Baroque was purchased online after seeing one of their performances at the Madison Early Music Festival back in January. Tomeka Reid - come back to Madison, please!
I bought The Monks album just yesterday at B-Side. It was neat because I hadn't been there in ages and had never been to their new digs which, I suppose, aren't all that new anymore. The general layout is the same as the old space and the presence of Steve Manley behind the counter gave a familiar and welcoming feeling. But it was really odd to be able to browse without having to squeeze between shelves. All that space is so odd. Ha!
I was happy to see that the King Crimson selection remains strong there.
Last weekend I went to see the Alash Ensemble down at The Bur Oak. It was a wonderful show with lots of songs about horses and mountain ranges. Someone captured a bit of it on their phone and has posted it.
I've been listening to some tunes by Chicago's Horsegirl. They play what I suppose would be called indie rock with its lo-fi aesthetics that are gussied up a bit with some great melodic vocals. Their latest album, Phonetics On and On, came out a few days ago and I find that I really like "Switch Over". It has a vague Pavement vibe and reminds me a bit of "Box Elder".
They play in Madison at the High Noon Saloon on 4 August.
Also from Chicago are Cabeza De Chivo and their tropical psychedelia. I cannot find any studio recordings but check out this live set from the Cactus Club in Milwaukee from last spring.
To complete the Chicago trifecta, there's The Claudettes who should have a new album out soon. Or soonish, anyway. They'll be at the North Street Cabaret on 1 March.
From a bit farther afield, Tuva, comes the Alash Ensemble. And yes they do that funky Tuvan throat singing. They'll be at The Bur Oak on 29 March.
Valerie June has a new album out or coming out soon called Owls, Omens, and Oracles (Look at that serial comma!) and she'll be here in Madison on 30 May which means I won't have to go to Iowa to see her.
Just listen to her new tune "Joy! Joy!"!
Last weekend some friends and I went to see the Faroese superstar Eivør. We weren't particularly familiar with her work but we're suckers for Nordic music and just anything that sounds interesting. It was a great show! I really loved "Enn" which, if I recall correctly means still or yet. The drumming was very powerful live.
Opening for Eivør was Sylvaine, a.k.a. a solo project of Kathrine Shepard. For the opening slot it was Shepard alone. Very ethereal music with guitar, lots of triggered sounds, and her wonderful, powerful vocals. Both she and Eivør have amazing sets of pipes.
