Rising talent, Sonia Leigh, opening for Amos Lee at the Orange Peel 5.17.2011

According to Sonia Lee's publicity team: "She’s halfway between the headstrong spirit of Loretta Lynn and the honesty of Lucinda Williams, and her album is good old dusty country, steeped in blues, soul, rock, and southern grit. She’s cut her teeth as a supporting act for Zac Brown Band, Amos Lee, Marc Broussard, Loretta Lynn, and others." 

That sounded right up my alley, and in checking out the rising Atlanta talent online, I wasn't disappointed. Sonia was gracious enough to answer a few of my questions about her upcoming Tuesday night slot opening up for Amos Lee at the Orange Peel. 

Q: What can Asheville fans expect at the Orange Peel show?
Asheville fans can expect an intimate acoustic performance by myself and my guitarist Will Harrison, filled with various songs from my catalogue. I will probably play some songs I usually do not get a chance to play with the band to make it extra special.



Q: What do you think sets you apart from other up-and-coming artists in your genre?
I think I may have developed some what of a genre of my own. I write my own songs, some artists don't, and that's okay, everyone has their own special gifts and well, we all gotta use what we were blessed with. I think my strength is more located in my writing. I have been told I walk a thin line of originality where it's not too far out there that people don't relate and get it. I think my fans connect with what I write, but it's probably a little differently said than usual. Basically, just about everything in this world has been written about, everyone just writes from their own perspective, I think maybe I may have a unique way of expressing what I see and feel and some people find that refreshing.


Q: What albums are on high rotation on your iPod right now? Any new releases you're looking forward to?

Right now I listen to Billy Currington's new record a lot. Mishka, The Wheeler Boys,Adele, The Beastie Boys (LIcense to Ill) has been in heavy rotation lately. Florence and the Machine, Jason Aldean, Eminem's new record is great! Etta James, Paul Simon. I always listen to Bob Dylan ( Blood on the Tracks)  and Jackson Brown (For Everyman) I listen to Bruce Springsteen records when I am home and getting ready for my shows.

Q: What's coming up next for you and the band?
Last time we were in Asheville we were able to go up to Echo Mountain studio and record some songs with DannyKadar, I would love to get back in that studio with the boys again and recordsome more music.  The new record is about to come out so we will be doing a bunch of touring and we all love to be on the road so we are in heaven! I suredo love Asheville though, maybe I will get me a place here one day :)

Bass Explosion... live at the Orange Peel.

 

This was simply one of the most incredible things I've seen happen on stage. I went to the Abigail Washburn / Wood Brothers show at the Orange Peel last Thursday, and towards the end of Abigail's set-- after a surprise appearance from Bela Fleck-- the band turned of the mics and stepped to the front of the stage to play "Key to the Kingdom" un-amplified. The bassist, Jon Estes, took a killer bass solo, and just as he finished, the neck came right off his bass. Looks like a glue failure, and hopefully fixable, but incredible timing and occurrence! Whoever shot this video was standing just in front of us.

CD Reviews coming up this week! Stay Tuned....

Sara Jarosz :  Follow Me Down

Tara Nevins :   Wood & Stone

Tonight at the Grey Eagle: Amy Speace & The Civil Wars!

The Civil Wars

Amy Speace

So Many Exciting New Releases!!!!

May is clearly the month for new rootsy releases this year.... Two that I already have and love are:

Allison Krauss and Union Station's   Paper Airplane

I plan on doing a full review of this one, but for the time being, just trust me, it's fabulous. Incredible versions of well-chosen songs. Performances = flawless.









Lera Lynn   Have You Met Lera Lynn?

An uber-talented singer/songwriter out of Athens, GA. I saw her perform live at the Melting Point last year on the 4th of July. At that time she had yet to release a CD, but I joined her Facebook page and waited for this one. I have not been disappointed. She's a phenomenal singer, and writes captivating-- if sometimes depressing-- songs. I don't have the liner notes & therefore don't know who's doing the pedal steel work, but it's top notch. Just for the record... I was loving this CD before she won the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest this weekend.



Two that I'm eagerly awaiting..... :

Sarah Jarosz  Follow Me Down

                                                   Fleet Foxes  Helplessness Blues

Mark O'Connor's String Quartet at the Porter Center May 6th!

On May 6, 2011 at 7:30 pm Brevard College in Association with Mountain Song Productions will present Mark O’Connor’s String Quartet at the PorterCenter for Performing Arts. This concert will also include the quartet performing with a regional youth orchestra under the direction of Transylvania Youth Strings conducted by Dr. Donald Portnoy, conductor or Brevard Philharmonic.

Debatably one of the most important figures in American music, Mark O’Connor has collaborated and performed with artists as diverse as the many cultures that are present in this country.  His astonishing talent bridges the gaps between classical music and the traditional styles of fiddle as well as jazz.

The quartet is Mark O’Connor, violin, Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin, Gillian Gallagher, viola, Patrice Jackson, cello. Among the most talented and exciting string players on the scene, these four virtuosi combine for an unforgettable evening of explorations in new musical territory. The concert offerings: O'Connor's String Quartet No. 2 "Bluegrass" which features blazingly intricate rhythms" soulful, high lonesome harmonies" achingly beautiful melodies. O'Connor's latest, String Quartet No. 3 "Old-Time" composed on commission for the Quadricentennial of the Hudson River. Also featured are high flying, virtuoso duets with each possible pairing of the group members. All of these celebrated works draw on O'Connor's own well-documented (and uniquely American) musical history.

The second half of the program Mark will be joining Transylvania Youth Strings in support of their efforts to engage youth in music as part of their everyday lives.

When Mark was asked about his method for beginning students he offers, “The foundation for my new Violin Method is that American music can be the material for a violin student learning how to play. The musical literature and styles are so rich in the United States and in the Americasthat I wanted to design a method around these string-playing traditions. Another hallmark to my method is that creativity and improvisation development can start early. And in addition to all of the important techniques the method offers, rhythm is a key focus too.”

Doors open at 6:30 at the Porter Center. For Tickets go towww.theportercenter.org or Rockin Robin Records in the College Plaza.  By phone 800-514-3849.  For more information 828-243-3496.