Spirit Family Reunion and John C. Reilly and Friends - Adams Avenue Unplugged:

Adams Avenue Unplugged in San Diego was lively and overrun by sun, good musicians, and good vibes.

* The Spirit Family Reunion introduced themselves to a new crowd and gained brand new superfans (like they do.) On a personal level, it is great to watch other people discovering a band like SFR for the first time. Their music is nothing but contagious! 

* John C. Reilly (and friends) proved that he is not just an actor/comedian but a genuine musician who has the chops for some good ol' country music. He played in a church which was very fitting for his performance. I really hope to see more of John C. Reilly in the future, possibly an old fashioned style church tour?

*Spirit Family Reunion*
 

*John C. Reilly and Friends*

John C. Reilly covered "Color of the Blues" in honor of the recently deceased George Jones:

"Rock Island Road"

"I Ain't Got No Home" *Some sound issues but definitely worth a listen!

"Sweet Roseanne"

Newport Folk Preview: Spirit Family Reunion LIVE

 

Words // Scott Pingeton

Spirit Family Reunion's recently-released, self-titled debut is one of my favorites of the year.  They don't make it that easy to buy or listen to, so why not check out one of their incredible live shows and buy it at a show?  Your next chance is Saturday afternoon at Newport Folk where they will kick off the weekend in style.  I can't wait, it's sure to be one of my favorite sets of the weekend and a launching pad for SFR.

I've seen them a bunch of times int he past few months, first opening for David Wax Museum in a church, and most recently at the "Road To Newport Folk" show we put on in Gloucester MA.  In the middle was the fantastic Brewery Sessions brunch show that you can listen to below.  Hear the entire house concert, documented in true Alan Lomax style for your listening pleasure.  Enjoy and please support the band by going to their shows, buying their merch and telling your friends.

Spirit Family Reunion
Boston MA - April 15, 2012

I Belong To The Band (?)
Alright Prayer
Green Rocky Road
Carry Me
No Separation
Leave Your Troubles At The Gate
Trouble (?)
Gazebo Song
On That Day
Unknown song
The Night Replaced The Day
When My Nname Is Spoken
I'll Find A Way
On My Mind (?)
Battle Hymn of the Republic

Full set download: mp3 zip

TONIGHT!! Spirit Family Reunion + Hurray For The Riff Raff / Gloucester MA, June 8

 

Spirit Family Reunion
Hurray For The Riff Raff
The Broken Wing Routine

Friday June 8 - DogBar, Gloucester MA
65 Main Street  Gloucester, MA 01930

9pm // FREE!!

Presented by...
Narragansett - Visible Voice - GloucesterGoods.com

Escape from the city and head north to the seaside town of Gloucester MA for what's going to be an incredible night of music.  Spirit Family Reunion is set to tear up Newport Folk this year with their brand of backyard folk-bluegrass - don't miss an opportunity to see them in an intimate venue.  Seriously.  And as if that wasn't enough, they'll bring along two amazing bands from down south in New Orleans -- Hurray For The Riff Raff and The Broken Wing Routine.

There's no cover, no advance tickets - just show up, and enjoy an incredible night of music.  It doesn't get any better than heading to the shore in the summer to see some amazing music!

Check out the Facebook Event page for more details (RSVP does not guarantee entry)

I Am Following The Sound - Spirit Family Reunion
Look Out Mama - Hurray For The Riff Raff

Preview // FreshGrass Festival @ Mass MoCA 9/21-23

Words // Scott Pingeton

Mass MoCA is becoming a destination known as much for their excellent music programming as world class modern art.  Wilco's annual Solid Sound Festival has played a big part in putting the Western Mass museum on the map, but there are plenty of other events throughout the year that are well worth the drive.  One of those events that I personally will be happily making the 3 hour trek from Boston for is the FresGrass Festival in late September.  You really don't need a reason to visit the Berkshires in late-September - it's just gorgeous out that way as summer starts to fade into fall - but if you really need your arm twisted, a top-notch bluegrass festival should do the trick.  The lineup includes David Grisman, Trampled By Turtles, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Devil Makes Three, Infamous Stringdusters, Spirit Family Reunion and lots more.  Spread out over 3 days, it's the perfect excuse for a long weekend away from the city.

Tickets are on sale now for the incredibly reasonable price of just $46 for the whole weekend.  Make your plans now, I am.  Here is some brand new music from three of my favorite artists that will be at FreshGrass:

Alone - Trampled By Turtles

Boodle-De-Bum-Bum - Carolina Chocolate Drops

I Want To Be Relieved - Spirit Family Reunion

New music // Spirit Family Reunion - I Am Following The Sound

Words // Scott Pingeton

Two of my favorite artists will put out their debut albums this June - Field Report and Spirit Family Reunion.  SFR's debut No Separation drops June 15, perfect timing to claim its spot as my summer roadtrip jam.  The band's irresistable blend of ramshackle folk and back-porch bluegrass is the perfect soundtrack to a summer jaunt -- whether a camping trip, a weekend at the lake or just a long drive with the windows down.  "I Am Following The Sound" is the first studio take I've heard from the record, and I'm happy to report that the recording captures the perfectly-ragged, stomp&clap of the band's live sound.  If this isn't the perfect music for that moment when the hazy late-summer sun softly gives way to purple dusk, then nothing is.

Spirit Family Reunion - I Am Following The Sound

You can catch the band at Newport Folk this summer, or in Biddeford Maine at The Oak & The Axe on June 7 or June 8 in Williamstown MA where they will play a Billsville House Concert.

In case you missed it - here's the band playing "I'll Find A Way" from a recent house show in Boston (also, don't miss the full live recording)