Email Author Rick Mason

2008 Stories by Rick Mason

• Barbara Morrison

  published December 31, 2008

  Michigan native Barbara Morrison has long been a stalwart of the L.A. jazz and blues scene, as a club performer with a variety of ensembles,... More >>

• Dale Watson

  published December 31, 2008

  If you're still moving after last night's revelry, you couldn't start off the New Year much better than dragging your sorry ass down to Lee's and... More >>

• BoDeans

  published December 24, 2008

  Kurt Neumann and Sam Llanas, sons of Waukesha, Wisconsin, have an ongoing partnership that has lasted nearly a quarter-century, based on solid... More >>

• Todd Menton CD-Release Show

  published December 17, 2008

  This gathering on Cedar Avenue (well, inside the Cedar, probably) will mark the release of The Dolmen Field (New Folk), Todd Menton's third... More >>

• Corey Stevens

  published December 17, 2008

  Often compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Illinois native Corey Stevens can play the Texas guitar slinger to the hilt, but actually is quite a bit... More >>

• Luther Kent

  published December 17, 2008

  Armed with a classic blues voice—gruff, gritty, muscular, and with sufficient power to light up a small city—Luther Kent has had a... More >>

• A Heartland Holiday Concert

  published December 17, 2008

  The music of fiddle and mandolin virtuoso Peter Ostroushko evokes the American heartland with the vivid colors and timbral splendor of Grant Wood... More >>

• Marcia Ball

  published December 10, 2008

  Long tall Marcia Ball, queen of ivory-billed triplets descended from Professor Longhair and doused in the honky-tonk-laced sloughs of... More >>

• Curtis & Loretta; Bittersweet Christmas Band (Double CD-Release)

  published December 10, 2008

  Longtime stalwarts of the local folk community Curtis Teague and Loretta Simonet are rich in tools that can vividly etch one of Loretta's highly... More >>

• Kassin + 2

  published December 10, 2008

  Brazil's Kassin + 2 could more properly be called the Plus 2 Trio, which consists of Alexandre Kassin, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer,... More >>

• Yusef Lateef: The Gentle Giant

  published December 3, 2008

  Truth and serenity seem to ooze from Yusef Lateef's deep, mellifluous voice, even over a creaky phone line stretched halfway across the... More >>

• Curtiss A's 29th Annual John Lennon Tribute

  published December 3, 2008

  For the 29th time, the prodigious spirit of John Lennon will command the stage at First Avenue as alter-ego Curtiss A offers this year's... More >>

• James Carter

  published December 3, 2008

  Versatility and virtuosity have been the hallmarks of saxophonist James Carter, who hit the New York jazz scene with a flourish in the early... More >>

• Larry Coryell Trio

  published December 3, 2008

  A key pioneer of jazz-rock, guitarist Larry Coryell fused incendiary rock and blues elements with jazz, achieving iconic status in the 1970s. He... More >>

• Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

  published November 26, 2008

  A human dynamo who at age 50 has more electrifying energy than entire—hell, multiple—bands a fraction her age, Sharon Jones may not... More >>

• Shelby Lynne

  published November 26, 2008

  There would seem to be a natural affinity between Shelby Lynne and Dusty Springfield. But it took a suggestion from an unlikely... More >>

• Clearwater Hot Club CD-release show

  published November 26, 2008

  Grand Rapids' water tower doesn't exactly rival Monsieur Eiffel's. But that northern Minnesota burg did spawn the Clearwater Hot Club, with its... More >>

• Ahmad Jamal

  published November 19, 2008

  Influential jazz piano icon Ahmad Jamal continues showing off his impeccable technique and exploring fresh facets of his inimitable style on his... More >>

• J.D. Souther

  published November 19, 2008

  Singer/songwriter J.D. Souther played a key, if somewhat behind-the-scenes, role in the rise of Southern California country rock in the early... More >>

• C.J. Chenier

  published November 19, 2008

  Arriving late to zydeco after beginning his career playing top 40, multi-instrumentalist C.J. Chenier nonetheless managed to serve an... More >>

• Trampled by Turtles CD-Release

  published November 19, 2008

  A quintet of nouveau bluegrass adventurers way too wily and quick on their feet to actually fall victim to slow-moving reptiles, Trampled By... More >>

• SOLD OUT: Red House Records 25th Anniversary Grand Finale Concert

  published November 19, 2008

  St. Paul's Red House Records, the little folkie label that rose to international renown under the impassioned leadership of the late Bob Feldman,... More >>

• Drive-By Truckers; the Hold Steady

  published November 12, 2008

  Dual headliners the Drive-By Truckers and the Hold Steady may come from opposite sides of the Mason-Dixon Line, but they share an intense rock 'n'... More >>

• Joan Baez

  published November 12, 2008

  Iconic folk singer Joan Baez is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her career's start with her first album on the Billboard charts in 29 years.... More >>

• Loudon Wainwright III

  published November 12, 2008

  Equally perverse and brilliant, Loudon Wainwright III has made a career and inspired a rabid cult following by dissecting the smelly remains of... More >>