There are not  many holiday traditions I attend to but last night was one of my favorites:  The New Standards annual holiday show at the Fitzgerald.  I am not sure whether it was the fifth or sixth annual but every year has a new twist and Christmas traditions that all of us know are coming but still enjoy seeing every year.

It was a great set of guests this year; some of my favorites were artists that I discovered this year including Chastity Brown who ended the first set and the Cactus Blossoms who added to country theme of the first half of the show.  And there were some former guests who were great to see again including Mike Doughty who bookmarked his “Ice Ice Baby” rendition a few years ago with “Ring of Fire” this year.  Matt Wilson did own take of “Crying” by Roy Orbison and Jeremy Messersmith showed some country chops.

While I enjoy the guests every year I could use more New Standards covers throughout the entire show.  The unique sound and take on popular songs is so refreshing and some of their covers have become  better than the originals.  I would have put six just New Standards songs (with only Chan, John and Steve) right in the middle of the show.  It might be a small complaint I know I can correct it by going to a show that is not holiday focused.  Bringing us back from the intermission was a video of their latest single, “Call Your Boyfriend” a remix of the Robyn hit.

But it was the Holiday show and there were so many great Holiday songs.  Aby Wolf started off the night with her version of “Silent Night” and was a great back-up with the other Ascots the rest of the night.  Janey Winterbauer and Chan Poling did a fabulous Irish version of the Pogues, “Fairytale of New York”.  To finish the night we were all ready for the yearly rendition of “Snow Days”, this year with a new Matt Wilson appearance and the new TNS classic-“Christmas Time Next Year”.

It is not just the music that makes this show but all the extras, this year included the cowboy theme on the story of the Three Wise Men, an annual appearance by local dance favorite Rupert, dancing trees and the best guitar-wielding Santa Claus.  All in all it was a show that leaves us wondering what will next year bring and one of the reasons I am glad December comes every year.

I have to admit this was a last minute decision and I went into the show knowing very little about Glen Hansard.  So after deciding at 4:30 I was going to the show and having my son download me some of his music to listen to on the way there I was surprised to see a full house when I arrived; and now I understand why!  What an incredible performance by Glen and his band; I was expecting a more folky style but instead ended up with a soulful review of both his songs and some great covers.  I was most familiar with his work with Swell Season and the audience was very appreciative of his rendition of Low Rising.

Beyond Swell Season Glen also leads the Irish rock band The Frames and has had success in film and Broadway with “Once”  and I was impressed as I went back to listen to his music after the show how extensive his catalog is.  Glen really knows how to hold a room and attracted an audience that was hanging on every word; he has modesty   that makes the crowd appreciative him and responsive to his narrative between songs.  His Irish roots shine through and the his love of blues and soul was evident by the 10 piece band backing him up including members of Levon Helm backing band which provided incredible an incredible brass section and an excellent strings section in addition.

Since my knowledge of his music was minimal I definitely need to now go back and learn some more about his music.  But even for those of us who are not familiar we were treated to some excellent covers; an artist performing a cover of Prince at First Avenue is not unique (although there must be enough now for an album of Prince Covers!) his choice of “Sign of the Times” definitely was outside of the ordinary.  With the Levon Helm brass section playing their last show with Glen the show ended with an incredible version of The Band’s “The Weight” was incredible and had the entire audience singing along.

Best part about a show can be when you find something you never knew existed, that was definitely what tonight was all about.

March 5, 2012-I spent Friday night taking in the Vita.mn SXSW Send Off at First Avenue. I did not stay for the whole show so I leave you the Vita.mn link for a review of the entire show (I missed Peter Wolf Crier and Astronautilus).  Wish I did not have a bedtime that would have allowed me to see them, I hear they were both quite good.  I did get to see the three bands competing for the Best New Band Finalists though while hopping between 7^th Street Entry and the Mainroom.  The Japhies are a headbanging group with suprisingly good vocals and a great stage presence; there was no doubt they were the rockingest band out of the three.   Total Babe decendents Prissy Clerks were the most-hyped of the three given their connection to Howler.  Clara Salyer has a great unassumed stage presence and excellent back up with Howard Hamilton of Red Pens on bass.  Their accordian player, Emily Lazear, provided great backing vocals and classed up the joint (she is cute as a button)!  I only got to see the last couple of songs from Xavier Marquis but thought I had walked into a different venue.  With glow sticks, glow paint and some sweet sounding rapping.  It was definitely the biggest party of the three.  The winner not only got to play the Mainroom but also a spot at SXSW at the Vita.mn event there.  I will leave the surprise for the Mainroom review.

Main Room Groups that I got to see include:

Fort Wilson Riot-A continuing trend towards male-female electronic duets, Fort Wilson Riot provided and excellent start to the night.  I continue to debate if I like the electronic drums for these bands but maybe its time we get them all in a room and battle it out.  First Avenue get on it!

Pink Mink-We all know that I won’t turn down an opportunity to see one of my favorite local bands.  With their album climing up the CMJ charts and a mention in the Alternative Press as a top 100 band to watch; Pink Mink continues to provide guitar rock that would make Joan Jett proud.

The Blind Shake-with a style all their own the Blind Shake really let it all hang out. A great physical act (I was tired just watching them),  I want to see them do a show with the Japhies.  It would definitely leave the ears asking for more, add in the Birthday Suits and it would be perfect.

Prissy Clerks-for those of us paying attention we could see them loading onto the Mainstage after the Blind Shake.  Local Flash Mob, Rupert (check out his new video on his site) introduced the winner with a lot of hissing from the other bands fans (why can’t we all just get along?)  I thought the Prissy Clerks sounded better on the bigger stage and after a short technical difficulty early sounded very professional like they deserved to be there.  Of the three bands in contention Prissy Clerks are more my style but I also think they had a built-in advantage with the Howler/Total Babe connection.

Good luck to all these bands heading down to SXSW, next year the goal is that the blog will be down there following all of our great local music in Austin, TX.