Grace Potter and the Nocturnals @ Headliner’s (10.14.2010)

to put it simply, grace potter and the nocturnals rock. they are an absolute joy to watch and hear perform. a tight band with great musicianship and an incredible lyricist, vocalist and front woman, she also plays a mean hammond b-3 and better than average guitarist.

the place was packed and everest did a nice job as an opener and getting the crowd ready. and then grace strolled out after the nocturnals took the stage and lit the place up, holding the audience in the palm of her hand for the next 2 hours. she is truly a commanding presence on stage.

while i’m not really crazy about the new record, mostly due to production issues, the songs are wonderful live and she slides back into the catalog well and throws in a couple of covers (white rabbit) for good measure. and while grace is the unquestionable draw, i would be remiss not to mention the blistering guitar work of scott tournet on lead guitar and the solid rhythm guitar work of bennie yurco, and with one of the best rhythm sections of catherine popper on bass and matt burr on drums, in the business, they truly play as a singular unit.

this was the 5th or 6th time that i have seen them and i love ’em more and more each time.

check ’em out, go see ’em.

more info @ grace potter and the nocturnals

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals (Cincinnati/06.17.2010)

the amazing grace potter and the nocturnals delivered a powerhouse, high energy show @ the 20th century theatre in cincinnati.

the show and her current tour are pulling heavily from their new self-titled cd: grace potter and the nocturnals.

as always, grace was full of energy, splitting time between playing her “flying v” and her “B3” (she actually seemed to be spending more time on keys this show than previous times that i had seen her) and always delivering with her strong, bluesy and soulful vocals. the nocturnals are much the same as previous tours, with the exception of the excellent catherine popper (formerly of ryan adams and the cardinals) joining on bass. lead guitarist, scott tournet remains the anchor of the band, a steady player ready and capable of stepping up and turning in some amazing licks on lead guitar when the time is right.

the theatre was packed with a great crowd, seemed to be a nice mix of “regulars” and “newbies” seeing them for the first time. everyone was very into the show, ready to give grace and the band what they needed when they needed it, but also quiet and respectful during the quieter numbers.

the 20th century is one of my favorite venues in cincinnati, an intimate feel yet comfortable for a crowd of 300-500, with great sound, nice lighting and a great staff. add the perfect band, shake well and you’ve got the makings for a great evening of music.

more pictures @: http://picasaweb.google.com/bivester

–setlist

2 weeks of fine music coming up…

to wrap up the year, i’ve got a couple of good weeks of fine music coming up.

dec 11 – thurs @ the dame (lexington): ben sollee, daniel martin moore, neva geoffrey
dec 12 – fri @ the bomhard (louisville): over the rhine
dec 14 – sun @ the 20th century (cincinnati): grace potter and the nocturnals
dec 19 – fri @ the taft theatre (cincinnati): over the rhine 20th anniversary celebration (the first 10 years w/ric hordinski & brian kelley)
dec 20 – sat @ the taft theatre (cincinnati): over the rhine 20th anniversary celebration (the second 10 years)
dec 21 – sun @ st. elizabeth (norwood/cincinnati) – over the rhine sunday soiree

wrapping up the year with my 132nd live OtR show.

the best of 2008 (so far)…

submitted by: bill ivester

the best of 2008 (so far)…
as i’m sure you’ve noticed, the year is now, incredibly, half over. so i thought i’d list some of my favorites through the first six months of 2008.

so here they are…

CD’s (top ten, roughly in order*)
teddy thompson – “a piece of what you need”
cat power – “jukebox”
shelby lynne – “just a little lovin’ “
kathleen edwards – “asking for flowers”
cowboy junkies – “trinity revisited”
alejandro escovedo – “real animal”
tift merritt – “another country”
ben sollee – “learning to bend”
r.e.m. – “accelerate”
kris delmhorst – “shotgun singer”
honorable mention
steve winwood – “nine lives”

*(order subject to change depending on what i just finished listening to)

CONCERTS
02.10 – cat power @ the vic (chicago)
05.25 – over the rhine / ohio: in concert (cincinnati)
06.11 – alejandro escovedo (w/ben sollee) @ headliner’s (louisville)
04.26 – over the rhine (w/julie lee) @ canal street tavern (dayton)
04.17 – kathleen edwards @ headliner’s (louisville)
03.11 – grace potter and the nocturnals @ headliner’s (louisville)
*03.14 – over the rhine @ the ryman, opening for ani difranco would have to be my top concert experience and had it been a full set, would have unquestionably topped this list.

if you are unfamiliar with any of these artists, i highly recommend checking out their music and seeing them live if they are anywhere in your general area.

do yourself a favor and give them a listen.

and enjoy.