Crooked Still is an excellent new acoustic bluegrass act that I’ve been spending a lot of time listening too lately. I love them because they seem introduce a new perspective on the songs they play. They’re singer has one of the sweetest voices I’ve ever heard. I just got the following email from Crooked Still’s email distribution with some U.K. dates. If you have a chance, check them out!

Here is the message:
2007 is finally upon us and after some time off, we’re ready to kick off our year with a tour in England and Scotland, starting on January 21st. We’ll be playing some fantastic venues throughout England and finishing up at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow Scotland!! We had a great time there last year and can’t wait to go back. This also marks our first performances in England and we’re really looking forward to it!

Also tune in to Mountain Stage this week to hear our performance alongside some other great artists including our good friends Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez. Go to www.mountainstage.org to find an NPR station in your area that airs the show!

The big question on every deadhead’s mind lately has been will The Dead tour this summer and if so, in what formation? Well sorry to be a debbie downer, but there will be no reunion this summer according to this interview with Bob Weir. To be honest, the best post Grateful Dead shows I’ve been to have been Ratdog and Phil and Friends shows. The reunion shows I’ve seen have always left me thirsty for more of this or that. They have these killer all star lineups with so many great performers that none of them get enough time to shine. I’d rather see Warren Haynes with Govt Mule than with The Dead because I know that I will be able to see him really whale with the Mule. Same with Derek Trucks, Steve Kimock, Chris Robinson and Joan Osborne. Don’t get me wrong, The Dead and will see them any chance I get, its just that Phil and Bobby have both done such a killer job perfecting their own flavor of Grateful Dead music that the void is filled.

As always, a related offering of must hear musical nugs (thanks nugs.net):

Bob Dylan and Merle Haggard will be doing a tour this spring. And its coming to my home town too! This will make for a fun show, the last few Dylan shows I’ve been to were great. For a while, Dylan seemed to be struggling to find his place in the music landscape but his last couple albums were great and he’s back on top. And Merle Haggard would be great to see. Who knows how much longer Merle will be touring and for that matter, Dylan too!

In related news, Courtney Love (blech!) says she’s channeling Dylan for her new album and doing so by listening only to Blood On The Tracks (link: here)

And to get you ready for the show, the Dead playing Dylan MP3:
Grateful Dead, “When I Paint My Masterpiece”

Grateful Dead, “She Belongs To Me”

Grateful Dead, “Maggie’s Farm”

Grateful Dead, “Desolation Row”

Grateful Dead, “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”

Last night (March 1, 2006) Ratdog played the critically aclaimed radio show Dead To The World (hosted by David Gans) on KPFA in Berkley. Ratdog has really gotten tight after all these years of playing together. I love hearing them play Dead tunes because they are like the original versions only a little more jazzy. I also love all of their original stuff as well. The band is such a democracy, you can tell by the way each member contributes to the overall sound Ratdog puts out. Ratdog has taken some time off and is now getting ready to go back on the road (dates here). If you wanna hear a jamming performance a la Grateful Dead, check it out:

Ratdog On Dead To The World 2006-03-01 Stream

Also,

If this one leaves you thirsty for more, check this gem out!

I just listened to one of the best Little Feat live performances that I’ve come across. This show comes from Telluride Bluegrass Festival 1988. Little Feat is in tip top shape for this performance with newly added Craig Fuller on vocals. Other highlights include Sam Bush and Washboard Leo on Cajun Girl. You can stream or download this show off the live music archive. I love the performance Dixie Chicken from this show. I highly recommend a listen! Little Feat are currently touring. Here are the dates as they appear on littlefeat.net:

To purchase advance show tickets, please visit our Music Today ticketing page http://littlefeattickets.musictoday.com.

02/14/06
Carmel, California – Sunset Center
www.sunsetcenter.org

02/15/06
Blue Lake, California – Blue Lake Casino
www.bluelakecasino.com

02/16/06
Seattle, WA – The Triple Door (2 Shows)-
www.thetripledoor.net

02/17/06
Portland, OR – The Roseland Theater
www.doubletee.com

02/18/06 -
Grants Pass, OR – Rogue Theatre -
www.roguetheatre.com

02/19/06
Crystal Bay, NV – Tahoe Biltmore

02/21/06
Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot

02/23/06
Aspen, CO – Belly Up, Aspen -
www.bellyupaspen.com

02/24/06 -
Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater -
www.bouldertheater.com

02/25/06-02/26/06 -
Durango, CO – Ft. Lewis College Concert Hall -
www.durangoconcerts.com

02/28/06
Missoula, MT – The Wilma Theater -
www.mediarts.org

03/05/06
Orlando, FL – Orlando Harley-Davidson

03/15/06
Ridgefield, CT – The Ridgefield Playhouse
www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org

03/16/06
Blackwood, NJ – Camden County College / Dennis Flyer Theater
www.jupresentsne.com

03/17/06
Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
www.jupresentsne.com

03/18/06
Champion, PA – Seven Springs Resort
www.7springs.com

03/19/06
Uncasville, CT – The Wolf Den @ Mohegan Sun Casino
www.mohegansun.com

03/20/06
Winchester, VA – Sweet Caroline’s
www.sweetcarolines.net

03/22/06
Teaneck, NJ – Mexicali Blues
www.createavibe.com

03/23/06
Jim Thorpe, PA – Penn’s Peak
www.pennspeak.com

03/24/06
Private Event

03/25/06
Westhampton Beach, NY – Westhampton Beach P.A.C.
www.whbpac.org

03/26/06 -
Killington, VT – The Pickle Barrel Nightclub -
www.picklebarrelnightclub.com

04/5/06 -
Private Event

06/03/06
Geneva, NY – Private Event

06/04/06 -
Augusta, NJ – Mike Arnone’s Crawfish Fest -
www.crawfishfest.com

06/07/06 -
Glen Allen, VA – Innsbrook Pavilion

06/11/06 -
Loudoun, VA – Live At Belmont

08/18/06 -
Sturgis, MS – Sturgis South Bike Rally

08/19/06 -
Woodstock, GA – Woodstock Concert Series

09/16/06 -
Eureka Springs, AK – Eureka Springs Festival